Panties and bras project to restore young girls’ dignity
A little goes a long way. Especially if you're a girl in school struggling with hygiene. Panties and Bras for a Purpose aims to change that.
Menlyn Park shopping centre recently handed over 500 bags filled with a week’s supply of underwear and essential hygiene items to girls in need.
Bags filled with panties, bras, deodorant, soap, panty liners and shower gel were handed over to girls from Masizani primary school, Saulridge high school and Desmond Tutu place of safety for girls.
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The donations were made in an ongoing partnership with the Flojo Foundation in its CSI initiative, the Panties and Bras for a Purpose.
“Menlyn Park shopping centre is committed to helping underprivileged girls and women in their community to regain their dignity,” said the centre’s general manager, Olive Ndebele.
“The gender gap in South Africa is far more pronounced in lower-income communities due,” she said.
“This is in large part because of girls being unable to attend school during their periods.”
“When a girl simply does not attend school for a few days, the teachers and fellow learners simply accept it without question.” continues Ndebele.
“They are unable to participate in school sports, which are so important to mental as well as physical well-being, further widening the gender gap. We have taken action, and will continue to do so because our girls deserve the chance to show the world what they can do.”
“By simply providing what many see as the basic necessities, we can give these girls the confidence to dream big, and the power to be active participants in their school lives.”
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Donations were made possible thanks to donations by shopping centre customers and tenants as well as local businesswomen
“For many of these girls, the concept of using already strained household funds for underwear or sanitary items is simply unrealistic,” said Panties and Bras for a Purpose founding member Florence Khoza.
“More often than not, they will wear the same underwear for days at a time, compromising their personal hygiene as much as their personal dignity.”
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