NPO educates township girls on menstrual health and dignity

1AfricaFoundation, an NPO committed to educating local communities on important health topics, visited Kaalfontein Primary School on March 20 as part of its ongoing outreach programmes.

Their annual Pad Princess project focuses on teaching young girls about menstrual hygiene, breaking the stigma around menstruation, and promoting personal cleanliness and confidence.

In commemoration of Human Rights Month, the organisation visited various township schools to educate girls on how to care for themselves during their cycles, fostering dignity and self-confidence.

The initiative also addressed the broader issue of period poverty, which extends beyond a lack of access to sanitary products.

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“Through this project, we aim for girls to go home and tell their parents what they’ve learned about taking care of themselves,” said Louisa Molise, project manager at 1AfricaFoundation.

Deputy principal Ali Sekele highlighted the impact on school attendance and self-esteem.

“Such projects make me so happy because they reach a large number of girls, providing sanitary towels and restoring their confidence. Our girls need all the help they can get,” he said.

Teacher Ruth Phasa added that a lack of education on menstruation contributes to period poverty.

“Many parents cannot afford pads and also don’t know how to guide their daughters during their cycles. Initiatives like this greatly impact our girls; we are very grateful and hopeful for lasting change at our school,” she said.

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The event featured speakers who educated girls in grades 5 to 7 on self-protection, recognising and reporting child abuse, and leadership skills to support them throughout their schooling years.

During the week, the foundation visited four township primary schools, reaching a total of 1,197 girls.

Each child received a dignity pack to help build confidence.

The foundation hopes that sanitary towels will one day be freely available, so no child misses school due to a lack of access.