Nyasha Grace Manzou Takes on Period Poverty as a Public Health and Equality Crisis in Zimbabwe

Period poverty goes beyond missed school days. It is a public health crisis and a direct barrier to equality. In Zimbabwe, where menstruation remains heavily stigmatized and systemic responses are limited, one young woman is turning silence into strategy and advocacy into policy influence. At just 20 years old, Nyasha Grace Manzou, founder of the Bright Girls Movement, is leading grassroots menstrual health action. Her work is pushing conversations into boardrooms, classrooms, and national health spaces.

“I noticed there was a gender gap and inequalities, period poverty, teen pregnancies, girls missing school. So I wanted to close that gap,” Manzou says. “I wanted to see girls get the merit and opportunities they deserve.” Menstruation affects nearly half of Zimbabwe’s population of reproductive age, yet it remains poorly addressed in health policy and programming. For many girls, managing a monthly cycle comes with health risks and social exclusion. Studies estimate that 70 to 75 percent of school-aged girls in Zimbabwe cannot afford sanitary products. Many resort to unsafe alternatives such as cloth rags, cotton wool, or paper. These materials increase the risk of reproductive tract infections, bacterial vaginosis, and other menstrual hygiene-related illnesses, especially where clean water, privacy, and sanitation are limited.

Education suffers as a result. More than 60 percent of menstruating girls miss school every month due to lack of products. This can amount to over 40 lost learning days each year. Over time, this absenteeism contributes to poor academic performance, higher dropout rates, and increased vulnerability to early marriage and sexual exploitation. Despite the scale of the problem, menstrual health has not been treated as a core public health priority.

In the 2026 national budget, the Ministry of Health and Child Care received about ZWL$24.19 billion, roughly 28 percent of its initial request. The reduced allocation strained essential services, including reproductive health programs. Menstrual health still lacks a dedicated budget line. Sanitary products are often grouped under general education or community health sub-programs. Funding remains inconsistent and unreliable. Past allocations, such as the reported ZWL$15.5 billion for pads and menstrual supplies, have fallen short of national demand, especially amid inflation and rising import costs.

As a result, many schools and health facilities rely on donors or sporadic distributions. Access remains uneven, leaving rural and high-density urban communities most affected. Advocates continue to call for menstrual health to be fully integrated into national health policy and clearly budgeted as an essential service.

Manzou launched the Bright Girls Movement in Mbare, Harare, by distributing disposable sanitary pads to girls in need. The impact was immediate but limited. “My biggest fear was the lack of resources. We were just giving out pads to a few girls for a few months. How were we going to sustain that?” she says.

That question reshaped her approach. BGM shifted from short-term pad distribution to sustainable menstrual health solutions. The organization now focuses on menstrual health education, reusable sanitary products, and open dialogue around periods. Girls are taught how to manage menstruation safely and with dignity. Communities are engaged to challenge stigma. Schools become safe spaces for honest conversations. By combining education with practical solutions, Manzou aims to reduce long-term dependence while improving health outcomes and school attendance.

Nyasha Grace Manzou is steadily positioning menstrual health as a development, health, and equality issue. Her work highlights how period poverty intersects with education, public health, and gender equity. Through the Bright Girls Movement, she continues to advocate for policy reform, increased funding, and community-driven solutions. Her message is clear. Menstrual health is not a luxury. It is a right. As Zimbabwe grapples with economic pressure and public health challenges, young leaders like Manzou are shaping a future where girls no longer have to choose between dignity, health, and education.