Titus Mbwewe, a pupil at New N’gombe Primary School, was moved to join the menstrual health and hygiene club after witnessing a girl being stigmatized for having periods in grade nine, which led to her missing exams due to emotional distress. This experience deeply affected Titus, prompting him to vow to support the girl child.
“ADRA introduced a project on menstrual health whose activities compelled me to join the club. Over time, I became an organizer and eventually the first president of the club at New N’gombe Primary/Foxdale Secondary School. Initially, there was resistance from boys who viewed the club as exclusively benefiting girls or even considered it taboo. However, through effective sensitization, boys began to recognize the importance and eventually joined the club,” narrates Titus.
As an MHM champion, Titus has gained a deeper understanding of menstrual issues and the crucial need to combat stigma. His role as MHM champion is vital in ensuring that girls feel comfortable during their menstrual experiences.
“I will continue to emphasize the significance of educating fellow boys about the impact of stigma on girls and conducting sensitization to end it. The motto on the back of my shirts, “Say No to Period Stigma,” reflects my commitment,” he said.
Looking ahead, Titus expresses his desire to become a Peer Educator/volunteer at ADRA Zambia after completing Grade 12, continuing his journey in promoting menstrual health and fighting against stigma with a smile on his face.
Titus was a project participant under the Menstrual Health Integrating Sanitation and Hygiene project (MESH 2023) supported by ADRA Netherlands. The project worked with 13,000 learners in Lusaka, improving the learning environment and enhancing school performance as well as retention of girls in schools.
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