Flow Campaign helps Gauteng girls stay in school

Air Products South Africa recently donated approximately 15 000 sanitary pads to female learners at three schools in Gauteng as part of its Flow Campaign.

The beneficiary schools included two primary schools, Laerskool Kreft in Kempton Park and Thabisang Primary School in Soweto, as well as Fred Nxorman Secondary School in Ennerdale, where each learner received products to last them for three months.

The Flow Campaign was launched a few years ago to address the dire need in the country for sanitary products for female learners who miss numerous school days every year due to a lack of access to these products.

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Air Products’ strategic corporate social investment (CSI) focus is on youth and education, and the Flow Campaign was launched after the company realised that there is a direct link between the academic performance of female learners and their menstrual cycle.

With the tagline “Don’t let your flow stop your go”, learners are encouraged to focus on continued school attendance and completing their education.

Arthi Govender, chairperson of Air Products’ CSI Committee, highlighted that the educational talk forms an important part of the event, as some learners live with grandparents or other family members and do not feel comfortable discussing the topic. In some households and communities, the topic is taboo.

The primary school learners also each received a book called My PMS Diary by author TT Mbha, who wrote the book with his two daughters.

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During his visit to Thabisang Primary School, he encouraged the female learners to have open discussions with their parents, especially their fathers, and to be proud of their bodies and embrace the changes brought about by womanhood.

The journal aims to encourage young girls to note their feelings and the changes they experience in their bodies.

“Research shows, and many teachers echo the fact, that female learners who do not have proper sanitary products will stay at home during their menstrual cycle, which, over a few months or a year, leads to a loss of numerous school days and important education time.

“We strive to assist the learners to remain in school throughout the year, but more importantly, we want them to know that the transition to womanhood is not something to be embarrassed about.

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“Our aim is for every female learner who received a pack to experience a sense of hope, dignity and pride in themselves and their bodies,” said Govender.

Part of the formalities at the events, especially at the primary schools, included a brief talk to the learners about the changes they go through, the use of sanitary products and general advice on personal hygiene during their menstrual cycle.

Govender said there is a wonderful synergy between their Flow Campaign and Women’s Month, as the month celebrates and embraces women.

“As a company, we want young females to know their worth from a young age. By emphasising their strength, potential and future opportunities, we hope to contribute to a society characterised by females who know that they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their background or current socio-economic situation,” Govender said.