OUDTSHOORN NEWS - Community leaders Mandilakhe Matika, Thabo Mgobo and Luvuyo Dlukulwana, handed sanitary pads to the principal of Saturnus Primary School, Bertram Meyer, on Friday 1 August.
The donation forms part of an ongoing initiative ensuring that no girl misses school due to a lack of sanitary products.
Matika emphasised the importance of supporting young girls during their menstrual cycles, noting that period poverty remains a significant barrier to education in South Africa.
“One in three girls in our country suffers from period poverty. When they don't have access to sanitary pads, they often don't have access to school. This lack of resources creates an unnecessary obstacle between girls and their education, ” he said.
He further urged local businesses and stakeholders to support the initiative and help make a lasting impact on the lives of young girls in the community.
The Department of Social Services has confirmed that in partnership with the Department of Education, it has distributed more than 3,432 million packs of sanitary pads to learners across the province as part of the ongoing Sanitary Dignity Project.
This government initiative, along with the efforts led by Matika, aims to uphold the health, dignity and well-being of female learners.
Both projects play a vital role in helping girls remain in school during their menstrual cycles, promoting self-esteem and ensuring equal access to education.
Millicent Merton, communications officer Millicent Merton, Western Cape Education Department (WCED), stated that the department is engaging with the Provincial Department of Social Development (DSD) on their Sanitary Dignity Project, which provides sanitary pads to schools across the province.
“We are always open to corporate or other forms of investment. If any companies or organisations would like to fund such an initiative, they must engage with the WCED or DSD.”
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