By Olerato Carol Manyaapelo
The issue of young girls missing school due to their periods and lack of sanitary towels is a pressing concern which needs the government, health departments and other related departments attention and action.
The MEC for health Madoda Sambatha, has launched a sanitary towel campaign at Provincial Women’s Day Commemoration which took place on the 25th of August 2023 at Potchefstroom.
The sanitary towel campaign according to the MEC set to provide free sanitary towels to the North West TVET college learners through the department of health culmination of district integrated campaigns, which includes women’s health activities and accelerated 95 95 95 plans.
The department will be working with the national government in ensuring that there is progress and performance in the implementation of providing free access of sanitary towels to a girl child attending school in the province. The provision of free sanitary towels in the province is set out to expand and escalate to rural schools and university (NWU) as time goes.
The North West province is known of being surrounded by rural areas and majority of the community in the province are from low-income backgrounds, cannot afford to purchase sanitary products such as pads, tampons, or menstrual cups.
This can lead to significant challenges for a girl child attending schools in the province as their background compromises their hygiene, health, education, and participation in various activities.
Period poverty can result in young girlsresorting to using inadequate, unsanitary alternatives, such as old rags or tissue paper, which can lead to discomfort, infections, and other health problems. Periodpoverty is a referred to the lack of access of menstrual hygiene products due to financial constraints.
The lack of access to proper menstrual hygiene resources and facilities can contribute to absenteeism from school, as well as a sense of shame and stigma surrounding menstruation. This cycle of missed school days can have far-reaching consequences, perpetuating inequality and hindering the potential of students.
By addressing this issue, the MEC for health MadodaSambatha and the health department will not only empower young girls to continue with their education uninterrupted but will be contributing more to the equitable and inclusive society as stipulated in the national development goals.
The provision of free sanitary towels in North West TVET colleges awards young girls the opportunity to attend classes regularly without the fear of embarrassment or discomfort. This proves that the office of the MEC for Health and other related departments in the North West province is commitment to social responsibilities and supporting the well-being of all community members in the province.
The MEC should start an initiative of having sanitary towels dispensers installed in the college, schools and campuses across the province.
This will survive as a long-term solution to ensure that there are free and accessible sanitary products to young girls in the province.
The sanitary pads dispensers will hold the department and the school management accountable, as dispensers requires to be filled on a weekly or daily-bases. It will also ensure that sanitary products are always accessible at the province’s school.
The installation of sanitary towels dispensers in North West Colleges and schools will contribute to enhancing the Department of Health’s service delivery.
This initiative will provide easy access to menstrual hygiene, promote menstrual health, and help address period poverty challenges facing the province and the country at large.
It aligns properly with the department’s efforts to ensure that essential health and hygiene services are accessible to all. It also impacts positively to the province education and well-being of young women. Thesanitary towel campaign launched by the MEC of health and the installation of pads dispensers provides apositive support and inclusive environment for female learners in the province.
The access of free sanitary products will assist young girls in the province to bleed free. This campaign proves the department commitment to not only provide free condoms but to also ensure that pads are providing freely to young girls as menstruation is not a choice, but sex is a choice.
Manyaapelo is from the office of the MEC of Health in the North West.
By Olerato Carol Manyaapelo
Central News Issue 023: Download the latest weekly edition of Central News Print and Digital Newspaper. Top Stories : “Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi wins defamation case over rape allegations”
Download Here:
Read our latest publication on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues/
________________________
Central News offers sponsored articles, Print Media, Social Media Marketing, Door To Door Pamphlet Distribution, display branding partnerships, podcast services, newsletters, live streaming , Radio & Television Content Development and paid interviews.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube
#centralnewsza #fscentralnews #nwcentralnews #gautengcentralnews
CENTRAL NEWS