GIYANI – The Business Women’s Association (BWA), together with Standard Bank donated three panties and nine reusable and washable sanitary towels to a select number of girls from Xikukwani in Giyani, to help them through their monthly struggles and enable them to attend school with dignity.
BWA Limpopo Chairperson, Mmabogoshi Msiza, quoted the harrowing statistics that 60% of women in South Africa cannot afford sanitary pads and as a result, many female learners often miss out on school.
“Menstruation is not supposed to be shameful. It is how God made us. Many girls miss around four to five days of school in a month due to menstruation and we wanted to help these girls so they don’t have to miss out on school again,” Msiza said.
She explained the significance of the sanitary towels being reusable makes them environmentally friendly.
A retired nurse, Alina Mahlori, gave the girls a quick summary of what to expect during their menstruation period and advised them on cleanliness and taking care of their bodies.
A representative from Standard Bank, Cynthia Hatting, thanked BWA who approached them to partner on the project, for the opportunity to allow girls to regain their dignity as well as the freedom to be at school and to focus on working towards achieving their dreams.
Headmaster of Mbhangazeki High School, Tinyiko Mathebula, thanked BWA and Standard Bank for identifying their impoverished community.
Mathebula thanked the contributors for reaching out to girls who have limited information and resources regarding their feminine hygiene needs, especially as the school lacks facilities like proper toilets.
