Africa-Press – Lesotho. A national programme on menstrual health for adolescent girls and young women between 10 and 24 years old, in and out of school, was officially launched at Ha Senkoase in the district on Thursday.
Speaking at the launching event, the Minister of Gender, Youth, and Social Development Mr. Pitso Lesaoana said the programme, encompasses menstrual health education and distribution of sanitary pads to support girls and women when they are on their periods.
He urged parents to talk about menstrual health issues at home so that all should understand that menstruation is natural and girls need to be supported, not to be discriminated or mocked about it as well as to make those who attend school not to miss lessons when on periods.
He also appealed to males to support girls and women when they are on their menstrual periods.
The Minister thanked the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for its continued support to enable the Ministry to implement initiatives such as the menstrual health programme for the benefit of Basotho.
Mr. Lesaoana said the programme will run as a pilot in three districts of Mokhotlong, Mafeteng and Maseru for one year and the plan is to roll it out to all the districts of the country to benefit all the girls in Lesotho.
He said there are 49,000 packets of sanitary pads and 61,400 bar soap that will be distributed to around 2275 girls and young women in Mokhotlong only from December 2025 to March 2027.
Speaking at the same event the UNFPA Representative in Lesotho, Mr. John Mosoti commended Lesotho government for its decision to carry out a programme that will enable girls and young women to menstruate with dignity and pride.
He said the programme being launched today is the first of its kind in the history of Lesotho adding that he is proud of the government for implementing this kind of programme.
He said “Menstruation is not a taboo but a human natural occurrence hence the need for the girls to be supported accordingly”.
Mr. Mosoti reassured the UNFPA support to Lesotho government to address issues related to Sexual Health and Reproductive Rights for protection and promotion of healthy living.
The Minister together with the UNFPA Representative launched the programme by cutting of the ribbon and distribution of sanitary pads and bar soaps to beneficiaries.
Earlier today and before the actual launching ceremony, the UNFPA Rep. handed over the sanitary pads and bar soap to the Minister at the government warehouse for distribution.
The National Programme Analyst on Behaviour Change Communication for Adolescents and Youth from UNFPA Mrs. ‘Maseretse Ratia said the programme is one of the interventions to support and dignify a girl child on her menstrual periods.
She said girls who are in school will be provided with disposable pads while those from 19 to 24 will receive reusable pads for a year adding that distribution will be on quarterly basis with each beneficiary getting three pockets per quarter.
Those who received the pads and soap that the Ministry and UNFPA for the support and promised that they will no longer miss lessons when menstruation occurs.
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