Subz reusable sanitary towels
Marikana school pupils empowered by donation of Subz reusable sanitary towels
The recent donation of 500 packs of the reusable sanitary towel, Subz Pants and Pads, to high school pupils at Marikana Combined School in Marikana, the mining town based in North West province, will make a profound difference to these young women.
Sponsored by ChromTech, a chrome beneficiation company which operates in the area, the 500 packs consist of nine pads and three accompanying cotton panties, which will last the recipient three to five years if cared for correctly.
“ChromTech is committed to uplifting the communities in which it operates which is why this particular school was chosen,” explained Stephen Baird, financial manager of ChromTech. “With our team made up of engineers, we originally considered reviewing upgrades and or additions to necessary school infrastructure, but I was alerted to the need for sanitary towels in disadvantaged communities after hearing a radio discussion on the topic.”
Stephen Baird and staff started researching the issue and were astounded to discover the impact a lack of sanitary towels was having on the lives of young women. From hygiene-related problems to school absenteeism, the lack of such a fundamental item needed by every female was crippling. For many young women, an entire week of school was forfeited monthly, detrimentally affecting their educational opportunities.
“Although this is not something we’d considered before, when we realised the impact the lack of such a basic item could have on a girl’s future, we felt this was the cause to support,” explained Stephen Baird. “We wanted to assist as many high school girls as possible for the duration of their schooling career, but disposable sanitary towels are prohibitively expensive and storage space would prove a problem.”
This is when ChromTech discovered Subz Pants and Pads, an incredibly durable, reusable sanitary pad and accompanying clip-on panty that is both financially and environmentally beneficial. Developed, designed and manufactured by KwaZulu-Natal resident, Sue Barnes – founder of Subz and its non-profit extension, Project Dignity – the Subz pads are made of five layers of specialised fabrics which earned the product a SABS absorbency approval. Through collaborative efforts with organisations such as ChromTech, Project Dignity is able to distribute packs to young women in disadvantaged schools and communities countrywide while also engaging them on topics related to menstruation and body changes.
“We are so grateful to ChromTech for reaching out to our organisation and making this generous donation to Marikana Combined School,” said Barnes. “The impact this makes to the personal lives of these girls, as well as the ongoing educational benefits, is profound and far-reaching. We are delighted to have partnered on this activation which was so well-received by the community.”
The activation was attended by Freda Bezuidenhout, a ChromTech representative, as well as Barnes and the Subz educator, Maphaladi Phaladi, who conducted the activation. Girls in grades 8 to 12 were introduced to the product with a talk on menstruation and the body which prompted an engaging discussion and enlightening questions. Following the activation, many young women commented on how this particular donation would allow them to focus on their future education, without restraint.
Bezuidenhout said the experience was incredibly humbling. “It’s amazing that something as pedestrian as sanitary towels can change a child’s future so completely. I found the girls to be interested, vibrant and excited about life.”