Senga Bay — After finishing class for the day, Fatima Muhammed and Deborah Chavula head to their school's sewing room to make sanitary napkins. It is an unusual after-school activity, but a vital one: They distribute the pads to their fellow female students, helping to keep girls from missing class or dropping out because of their periods.
Fatima and Deborah, both 13, began leading this activity at their school, All Angels Primary in Senga Bay, Salima District, after attending a week-long training session on reproductive health and hygiene. The session included lessons on how to make the pads using sewing machines.
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