Girls receive dignity sanitary towels
“In most underprivileged communities, menstruation is still a barrier to education for many girls and restricts their opportunities for involvement in educational and sports activities.”
Duduza – Over 2 440 girls in Ekurhuleni received sanitary towels from a cement company last Friday.
The donations were made to three secondary schools which include Villa Liza Secondary School in Villa Liza, NN Ndebele Secondary School and Esibonelwesihle Secondary School in Duduza.
Company representative Jabu Motlhako says this was to ensure young girls in Ekurhuleni stay in school during their monthly menstrual cycles through the provision of sanitary towels.
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“We collaborated with Imbumba Foundation and are happy that the supply will last them for three to four months until we make the next donation.
“We are extremely proud of this initiative as it gives young girls their dignity by ensuring that they do not miss any schooling days in the next few months due to a lack of these necessary hygienic products,” he adds.
Through engaging with the schools, the company identified the dire need for sanitary towels.
“Research has shown that underprivileged girls can miss up to 50 days of school per year due to lack of access to adequate feminine hygiene, according to the Imbumba Foundation.
“Girls’ choice of menstrual hygiene materials is often limited by cost, availability and social norms.
“In most underprivileged communities, menstruation is still a barrier to education for many girls and restricts their opportunities for involvement in educational and sports activities.
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“It breaks my heart when a learner approaches me or other staff members and ask for sanitary wear and I have no way to help them.
“This initiative will surely relieve parents and also help the girls stay in school and motivate learners to work harder and do better in their upcoming exams,’’ says Salome Lepheana, school principal at Villa Liza Secondary School.
