To commemorate Women’s Month, a Cape Town-based NPO, Save Our School donated dignity packs to 150 schoolgirls in Kraaifontein. With many South African girls affected by poverty, the NPO, Save Our School hosted its dignity drive at Masibambane Secondary School.
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The dignity drive was aimed at educating and informing 150 schoolgirls on appropriate menstrual hygiene, and draw attention to the period poverty crisis many South African girls experience on a daily basis.
One of the guest speakers, including City of Cape Town’s health officer Duran Le Roux, who shed light on the importance of hygiene management practices of women during menstruation.
According to Save Our School, 4 million schoolgirls have no access to sanitary products or simply cannot afford to purchase sanitary products, reports IOL.
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Furthermore, it stated that 30% of South African schoolgirls stay out of school when they are menstruating.With help from their sponsors Lil-Lets, Menstruation Foundation, Mount Clair Dental, PEP, and Shoprite, the organisation donated dignity packs which comprised of pads, tampons, soap, a toothbrush, and other bathing necessities.
In addition, this event is on the brink of a bigger initiative where money is being raised to contribute towards the S.H.E Project (sanitation, health, and education), which aims to empower females.
According to CEO of Save our Schools, Shelley Humphreys, the period poverty crisis is a very real experience for many girls in South Africa, affecting their school attendance and health.
“It’s critical that girls are provided with as much information as possible around menstrual health management to keep themselves safe and healthy,” concluded Humphreys.
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