Bringing menstrual cups to the forefront of sanitary items
Duduzile Mkhabele is woman working to get menstrual cups recognised as a replacement for sanitary towels.
POLOKWANE – The Mpower menstrual cup is a proudly South African product designed for women to use during their monthly menstrual cycle, it is made out of medical silicon and can last up to five years.
“Because these menstrual cups last so long if taken care of it can offer a lasting solution for girls from rural areas who cannot afford sanitary towels.
“The menstrual cup can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time. You put it in the morning and when you shower at night, you just rinse it out with plain hot water and insert it again. It is easy and convenient to use because you just fold it in half then insert it as you would a tampon.
“All the blood goes into the cup and it does not leak,” she explained.
In Polokwane the Mpower menstrual cup can be purchased through Legacy of Learning which is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO).
“There are two options available – for light flow and for medium to heavy flow and is only R200 which might sound like a lot but taking into consideration that it lasts for up to five years you save a lot compared to how much you would spend on sanitary towels for the same period. For every cup we sell, R29 is donated to the oncology ward at the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital for educational facilities for the children.”
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Duduzile added the menstrual cups can also reduce the risk of cervical cancer as there are many chemicals used in sanitary pads which are can be harmful to your body.
“Through this initiative we want to encourage people to consider donating menstrual cups to girls in need instead of regularly donating sanitary towels as it is not sustainable, we cannot do it forever.
“If you give a girl a cup, we know we have sorted that girl out for five years. These menstrual cups do not leak which will help the girls not miss school; they can even swim with these menstrual cups without worry, unlike with sanitary towels.”
Legacy of Learning has several roadshows planned to educate people about the advantages of using menstrual cups and creating awareness about the product.
For more information, to help donate these menstrual cups to schools or to purchase some, contact Duduzile at 076 403 5799.
