A non-profit organisation in Soshanguve is intensifying its efforts to protect young girls and keep them in school through an awareness campaign aimed at addressing period poverty and menstrual health challenges.

The Mama Ellen Boesman Foundation has rolled out an awareness-driven programme that focuses on restoring dignity, improving school attendance, and breaking the silence surrounding menstruation in under-resourced communities.

The initiative forms part of the foundation’s broader commitment to the empowerment and education of girls, with a special focus on public schools where access to sanitary products remains limited.

Speaking on the motivation behind the campaign, foundation president Katleho Tsotetsi said the reality of period poverty became impossible to ignore once the organisation started working closely with communities and schools.

“We realised it when we started seeing girls missing school every single month, not because they didn’t want to learn, but because they didn’t have access to something as basic as sanitary towels.

“That’s when it hit us, this isn’t a small issue, it’s a real crisis affecting education and dignity,” said Tsotetsi.

The awareness campaign goes beyond the distribution of sanitary towels.

It includes menstrual health education sessions, engagement with teachers and community leaders, and open conversations aimed at dismantling stigma and shame associated with menstruation.

According to the foundation, these discussions are critical in creating safe and supportive school environments for girls.

Tsotetsi explained that the organisation’s work is rooted in the understanding that dignity and education cannot be separated.

“When a girl loses her dignity, she often loses her confidence too. And once she starts missing school, her future is affected.

“We believe education and dignity go hand in hand; you can’t have one without the other,” he said.

Tsotetsi said the foundation was established in honour of the late Ellen Boesman Mokwena, a woman remembered for her compassion, spirituality, and commitment to community service.

He said the foundation carries forward a legacy of care that prioritises holistic support for women, children, and vulnerable groups.

“Our mother believed in caring for people holistically, spiritually, emotionally and practically. Through this foundation, we are continuing that mission by restoring hope and dignity where it is needed most,” he said.

Through its outreach, the foundation has witnessed first-hand the impact that menstrual support has on learners.

Girls who once missed several days of school every month are now attending classes consistently, participating more actively, and regaining confidence.

“Girls tell us, ‘I don’t have to miss school anymore.’ Seeing their confidence come back never gets old,” said Tsotetsi.

The campaign also addresses myths and misconceptions around menstruation, which Tsotetsi mentioned remain a major barrier.

“There’s still a lot of silence and stigma. People see menstruation as something private that shouldn’t be talked about, and that mindset stops real solutions from happening,” he added.

As part of its planning, the foundation is preparing for a national rollout of its sanitary towel programme this year, to reach thousands of learners in quintile 1 to 3 schools across all nine provinces.

The expansion relies heavily on partnerships with donors, corporate social investment programmes, and community stakeholders.

“This work is bigger than any one organisation. Partnerships help us grow, reach more girls, and make the impact sustainable,” said Tsotetsi.

He believes menstrual health should be treated as a human rights issue, not a charitable add-on.

“No one should be denied education, dignity or health simply because of a natural biological process,” he said.

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