Girls miss school due to not having sanitary pads

Photo: Supplied

South Africa is still battling to fight poverty but millions of girls still miss school for days during their menstrual cycle. They are unable to afford buying sanitary pads to help them eliminate the issue of being mocked or laughed at. This is due to either their pants/skirt is full of blood or blood dripping  down their legs.

“Addressing this issue of period poverty during August’s Women’s Month, the learners and parents at Curro Academy Wilgeheuwel joined together to undertake a “women’s dignity” donation drive for neighbouring Eldorado Park’s Willow Crescent Secondary School. Close on 600 sanitary packs were received throughout the drive which will go a long way in assisting the school’s 873 girls,” said Nosi Mlostana of Nadia Roussow Public Relations.

Photo: Supplied

The girls from Willow Crescent Secondary were shocked on 22 September when a group of Curro Academy Wilgeheuwel’s Grade 11 learners joined Executive Head, Oriol Morgan and two teachers to hand-over the sanitary products to the girls of Willow Crescent. 

Two of the Curro learners, Khanani Tinghitsi and Kianga Mbatha, who could not hold themselves with enthusiasm, addressed the school about uplifting women and girls and taking a step forward in ending period poverty. 

“The donation drive is part of the school’s #HopetoHeal initiative, a national movement lead by the young voices of our future. Launched by Curro in July 2021 in response to the violent riots in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, it aims to spread the message of hope for South Africa by calling on individuals, families, and businesses to get behind issues that affect themselves, their communities and their country,” said Mlotsana

Photo: Supplied

“The girls of Willow Crescent Secondary School deserve dignity and through our efforts as a school, we are honoured to play a role in assisting them with the donation of sanitary pads. It is through these small acts of kindness that we hope to make a difference and encourage others to get behind the #HopetoHeal initiative and impact their own communities too. It is through empathy and understanding that we will address and overcome our issues of period poverty and we thank the learners and parents of Curro Academy Wilgeheuwel for showing theirs,” said Oriol Morgan.