14 Apr 2021

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse says his ministry has not considered universal provision of sanitary pads to the girl-child in Botswana.

He said provision of sanitary pads was done as part of the ministry’s responsibility in assisting vulnerable groups, which included orphans, needy pupils and children from remote area communities.

Responding to a question in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Autlwetse said the provision was made on a monthly basis for children who were under family care while supply for those at boarding schools was for the duration of a school term.

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development provides subventions to residential care facilities such as SOS and Childline, he added. The assistant minister stated that a ‘major component of the grants goes towards direct provision of day-to-day needs of children in the facilities, including toiletry and sanitary pads.’

He reiterated that although his ministry has no intention nor capacity to provide all and sundry with pads, no deserving girl-child was left in the lurch, without necessary assistance as and when discovered or known.Ghanzi South MP, Mr Motsamai Motsamai had asked when government would consider supplying the girl-child with sanitary pads to maintain/preserve their dignity. ENDS