Introduction
DERTAUR Investments P/L is committed to sustainable menstrual health and hygiene solutions that meet the needs of girls and women of menstruating age in ZImbabwe and beyond. Recognising the work that the government is doing towards eliminating period poverty and ensuring that menstrual health and hygiene are part of NDS2 and the Sustainable Development Goals progress indicators, we seek to contribute to this gender equality concern from a public health perspective.
2025 Private Sector Initiated World Menstrual Day Commemoration
Since 2014 the World Menstrual Hygiene Day has been established as the 28th of May and is commemorated under a different theme each year .Being a member of the Official Menstrual Hygiene Day Partner Network , this company hosted the first ever private sector initiated World Menstrual Hygiene Day commemoration on 28 May 2025.
Under the theme #Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld” , the event was attended by representatives from:
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government ministries
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female students from institutions higher and tertiary learning
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the Environment Management Agency,
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The SMall and Medium Enterprise
Development Corporation
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Faith -based organisations
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Women’s groups
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Marketers Association, ZImbabwe
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Social work practitioners
Notably, the Confederation of Zimbabwe
Industries and ZNCC were unable to attend but requested a written report on the
outcome of the event, which was duly submitted.
Outcomes
The key outcome from that event was the
consensus on the need for more corporate social responsibility contributions
towards menstrual health and hygiene.
It was agreed that period poverty affects both the adolescent
girls and adult women as more than 70% cannot afford to buy the disposable pads
currently on the market, Stigma and
discrimination against women during
their menstrual periods was highlighted as a concern.
Inadequate infrastructure and WASH facilities
at school, workplaces, social amenities, places of worship and transport
stations affect the health and safety of women during their menses.
Therefore more needs to be done to increase the variety of menstrual products on the market , ensuring the safety, affordability and environmental friendliness of all menstrual hygiene products .
Way Foward
Since May 2025, DERTAUR Investments has participated in several partnership coordination activities and realised the strength of such synergies. Accordingly, in 2026 DERTAUR Investments P/L is participating in the Government-led World Menstrual Hygiene Day commemorations to be held on 1 June 2026.