Zimbabwe: Huge response to appeal to help restore women’s dignity

A staggering response by ordinary South Africans to an appeal for sanitary pads for Zimbabwean women, hit by shortages and rocketing prices, has floored activists. "The appeal was made by South African 5FM radio at the beginning of the year. “When we went to collect the pads this week - we found every empty corner and space in their studio was crammed with sanitary pad packets with little notes from families, mothers and even school girls," said an emotional Lucia Matabenga, the first vice-president of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU). "We found notes which said this was an attempt to 'restore the dignity of Zimbabwean women - we are with you'. We are grateful; we are really grateful," she added.