Star Matsongoni
City of Masvingo is not paying
much attention to the safe disposal of sanitary pads and diapers, with many
residents dumping these environmentally harmful materials anywhere.
much attention to the safe disposal of sanitary pads and diapers, with many
residents dumping these environmentally harmful materials anywhere.
Besides the impact of that such
material has on the environment, the general sentiment is also that failure by
authorities to build incinerators at strategic places in the city has a negative
effect on women’s right to dignified disposal of their used sanitary wear.
material has on the environment, the general sentiment is also that failure by
authorities to build incinerators at strategic places in the city has a negative
effect on women’s right to dignified disposal of their used sanitary wear.
Women’s rights advocates and
environmentalists who spoke to TellZim News said the presence of used sanitary
wear and diapers in the open surroundings was an affront the environment as
much as it was an attack on the dignity of women.
environmentalists who spoke to TellZim News said the presence of used sanitary
wear and diapers in the open surroundings was an affront the environment as
much as it was an attack on the dignity of women.
Women Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ)
Masvingo provincial chapter coordinator, Belinda Mwale said refuse collection
challenges in the city meant that many used diapers and sanitary pads end up on
the streets, in the drains or in water bodies.
Masvingo provincial chapter coordinator, Belinda Mwale said refuse collection
challenges in the city meant that many used diapers and sanitary pads end up on
the streets, in the drains or in water bodies.
“The main challenge we are facing
is that we don’t have the knowledge of how pads should be properly disposed, and
neither do we have enough resources to enable their safe disposal. If we are to
burn the pads since refuse collection schedules are not reliable, we would
surely be violating one or two environmental laws and by-laws,” said Mwale.
is that we don’t have the knowledge of how pads should be properly disposed, and
neither do we have enough resources to enable their safe disposal. If we are to
burn the pads since refuse collection schedules are not reliable, we would
surely be violating one or two environmental laws and by-laws,” said Mwale.
She said the right to a safe
period for women was not an end unto itself as it should extend to dignified
disposal of the sanitary wear
period for women was not an end unto itself as it should extend to dignified
disposal of the sanitary wear
“Inadequate water supply is another
challenge we face. If we were to get reusable sanitary pads, that would both be
more cost effective and environmentally-friendlier but there is no enough water
to wash the material all the time,” said Mwale.
challenge we face. If we were to get reusable sanitary pads, that would both be
more cost effective and environmentally-friendlier but there is no enough water
to wash the material all the time,” said Mwale.
A Mucheke woman who spoke on
condition of anonymity said she felt uncomfortable throwing her used sanitary
wear in the average rubbish bins due to some superstitious beliefs she grew up
to know.
condition of anonymity said she felt uncomfortable throwing her used sanitary
wear in the average rubbish bins due to some superstitious beliefs she grew up
to know.
“We I grew up, we would be told
that used sanitary pads could be used by juju people for malicious reasons. I
therefore do not dispose of them in the bin. I always flush them down the
toilet even though I know that they clog the sewer systems. I would be
confortable throwing them in an incinerator,” said the woman.
that used sanitary pads could be used by juju people for malicious reasons. I
therefore do not dispose of them in the bin. I always flush them down the
toilet even though I know that they clog the sewer systems. I would be
confortable throwing them in an incinerator,” said the woman.
A Masvingo City Council employee
revealed that local authority spends thousands of dollars every month removing
grit from its sewer systems, and many sewer pipe bursts are recorded everyday
due to blockages caused by many alien objects including sanitary pads and
diapers.
revealed that local authority spends thousands of dollars every month removing
grit from its sewer systems, and many sewer pipe bursts are recorded everyday
due to blockages caused by many alien objects including sanitary pads and
diapers.
Former mayor Hubert Fidze has
been very vocal about the effects of disposable nappies on the city’s water
supply, complaining that the unchecked use and irregular disposal of that
material was seriously polluting Mucheke River and ultimately Lake Mutirikwi,
from where the city draws all its drinking water.
been very vocal about the effects of disposable nappies on the city’s water
supply, complaining that the unchecked use and irregular disposal of that
material was seriously polluting Mucheke River and ultimately Lake Mutirikwi,
from where the city draws all its drinking water.
Other residents said council
could engage huge institutions like Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) so that
they could partner to build incinerators at strategic points for use by both
residents and students.
could engage huge institutions like Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) so that
they could partner to build incinerators at strategic points for use by both
residents and students.
“The council is not playing its
role. They come after two weeks or more for refuse collection and this results
in diapers being thrown around. There are many stakeholders like institutions
of higher learning and private companies that can be engaged for the building
of incinerators,” said one resident.
role. They come after two weeks or more for refuse collection and this results
in diapers being thrown around. There are many stakeholders like institutions
of higher learning and private companies that can be engaged for the building
of incinerators,” said one resident.
When contacted for a comment the
City of Masvingo Department of Environmental Health acting director Ngonidzashe
Mapamula refused to comment.
City of Masvingo Department of Environmental Health acting director Ngonidzashe
Mapamula refused to comment.
