Zimbabwean beauty queen launches campaign for sanitary pads

Zimbabwean beauty queen launches campaign for sanitary pads

MISS SOUTHERN Africa UK 2006 Primrose Mutsigiri models in swim wear

PRIMROSE is flanked by Miss Southern Africa 2005 Esther Banda (Zambia) and the reigning Mahogany Model of Colour

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By Showbiz Reporter

EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Zimbabwean beauty Primrose Mutsigiri has been crowned Miss Southern Africa UK 2006.

Mutsigiri who lives in London was the popular choice with the judges, adding to her recent success.

Eunise Damas was 1st Princess while Sindiso Muhlwa was 2nd Princess.

Mutsigiri won Miss Zimbabwe UK 2005 and holds the crown for Miss Afrique 2006 which she won in August.

She now plans to spend the next year campaigning for better access to sanitary pads by all Zimbabwean women.

Miss Southern Africa was held at the Commonwealth Members Club in London last Saturday.

Organisers of the event first held in 2004 say it aims to appreciate the "beauty and intelligence of Southern African women".

The event also aims to bring together "people with a common interest of African beauty and it’s culture", Conrad Mwanza, a spokesman for the organisers said.

Mutsigiri now aims to dedicate the next year aiding the Dignity Period Campaign to make sanitary pads more accessible for Zimbabwean women.

Toasting her latest win, Mutsigiri said: “Imagine if there were no tampons or sanitary towels available. Imagine, in desperation, having to use newspapers or old clothes as protection. Imagine having to stay home from school or work for five days every month because you've got nothing else to use to help soak up the blood.

"Imagine the vaginal infections you would get and then imagine that your partner beats you because he thinks you've slept with someone else and contracted an STI.

"Unfortunately, for the women of Zimbabwe, this is not a situation they are left to imagine."

Uncharacteristic for a beauty queen, Mutsigiri took aim at President Robert Mugabe's government which women's groups say is responsible for causing the relocation of manufacturers from Zimbabwe to South Africa.

A packet of 10 sanitary pads costs US$10 in Zimbabwe where the average salary for those fortunate to be employed in the crisis-hit country ranges from $50 to $100 a month.

Mutsigiri blasted: "As Robert Mugabe's leadership plunges Zimbabwe deeper into crisis, basic goods like sanitary products are becoming a luxury item only available to the rich."

Mutsigiri plans to team up with a group of Zimbabwean entertainers to raise funds and seek donations for large quantities of sanitary pads for distribution in Zimbabwe.

"We can only dignify Zimbabwe by dignifying the bearers of the children," she said. "As Zimbabweans in the Diaspora we have taken it upon ourselves to use our God given talents to create awareness and raise money to help restore national dignity."

If there are any Zimbabwean Models and performing artists or individuals who would like to part of the campaign e-mail: misssouthernafrica2006@yahoo.com

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