Poverty means loss of dignity for many young girls
Lack of access to feminine hygiene products leads to girls missing school.
PAMELA Nombewu was 16 years old when she had her first period during class at Olwandle High School.
She was scared and didn’t know what to do.
Like many other girls, she confided in her grandmother when she got home. But she didn’t get pads or tampons, like other girls her age. She had to use a cloth.
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Pamela who lives in Gamalakhe, in a house that has worn-out couches, an old room divider and a broken wardrobe, says it’s tough for her and her family with no breadwinner.
“I have a grandmother, who’s a pensioner and takes care of four grandchildren. So, sanitary pads are too expensive for me,” she says.
Pamela’s menstrual cycle lasts between five and seven days, so her grandmother has to make sure she finds enough cloths and cut them into small rectangles.
She uses these as a substitute for pads. Her grandmother says she uses old T-shirts and any small cloth that is made of cotton.
“I always wash the cloths first. Then I cut, fold and put them away in a box before her period starts,” says her grandmother.
Pamela wears the stacked cloths in the morning when she goes to school and only changes them when she gets back home.
“I throw each stack I’ve used away in a bin, and fold a new batch nicely and put it in place. I find it difficult to wash them, even if it’s my own blood. Also, our yard is an open yard so I’m embarrassed that the neighbours will see that I’m using these cloths as sanitary pads,” Pamela explained.
There was a time when Pamela couldn’t write one of her exams and had to stay at home because her flow was too heavy. She had to explain her situation to her teacher, who happened to be male, the next day at school.
“I was shy and embarrassed to tell him the real reason I couldn’t go to school. But I had to, and surprisingly he understood and let me write the exam I had missed,” she says.
Pamela says she has never bought pads and has only ever experienced using them when she got them free at promotions and from people who know of her situation at home.
“I would like to use them, but they cost a lot of money so that’s why I use the cloths. I can’t wait to finish studying so that I can work and provide such necessities for my siblings,” said Pamela.
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