First Lady Esther Lungu has called for more support for the girl-child to avoid teenage pregnancies and other vices hindering women progression.
Mrs Lungu said this at State House yesterday when the Lusaka Indian Ladies Association (LILA) donated 1,000 sanitary towels and two first-ever automated sanitary towels vending machines worth K25,000 to the Esther Lungu Foundation Trust.

Mrs Lungu, who is founder of the Esther Lungu Foundation Trust, commended LILA for the gesture as it is vital for humanity. “In rural areas, I have observed that girls do not attend classes for about six to seven days when they are menstruating due to lack of sanitary towels. They are afraid to mess up their attire and become a laughing stock among their peers.

“Therefore, what LILA is doing today [yesterday] is commendable as they are completing the cycle of the girl-child,” the First Lady said.
And LILA chairperson Nagammai Murugappan said the Indian women hold a strong vision to provide aid to address some of the challenges women face in society.

“This donation is solely meant for women who have challenges due to menstruation. It is the first of its kind. These machines are from India, which will vend sanitary towels just like we see those machines that dispense drinks, sweets, and many others,” she said. Mrs Murugappan said the 50-inch sized sanitary towels vending machines are able to hold about 500 large or extra-large sanitary napkins, which will be dispensed by placing either a dummy or Kwacha coin in the machine.