Million comforts for schoolgirls
The increase in school absenteeism among disadvantaged female learners during menstruation has led to a call by the provincial Department of Education to increase awareness around access to female-hygiene aids.
According to Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond, it affects mainly poorer learners. “Learners do not necessarily report to schools that they were absent because of their menstrual cycle. So we cannot provide statistics in this regard.”
Dischem in Knysna has donated five boxes of sanitary pads to Concordia High School as part of their Million Comforts campaign.
Principal Zamubuntu Blaai said the donation came at the right time as the school had run out and he was going to buy pads.
Dischem store manager Maryna van Loggerenberg said studies have revealed that annually, schoolgirls without access to feminine-hygiene aids on average miss 50 school days a year. “These girls make use of unhygienic materials such as clothes, newspapers, grass and plastic as an alternative.”
Hammond said they are engaging with the provincial Department of Social Development on its Sanitary Dignity Project.
“We are, however always open to corporate or other forms of investment as well. If any companies or organisations would like to fund such an initiative they must please engage with the WCED,” she said.
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Source: Knysna Plett Herald News