She PowHer Foundation celebrates ‘Mandela week’
A hygiene workshop was held to raise awareness about ending period poverty in South Africa.
The first woman-owned menstrual cup manufacturer in South Africa, She PowHer Foundation, held menstrual hygiene workshops and donated menstrual cups at the Strategic Skills Development Specialists for the disabled, from July 18 until July 21.
Ruth Apostolov, founder of She PowHer Foundation conducted menstrual hygiene workshops for groups of around 100 students each day to raise awareness on the issue of period poverty. “Period poverty is very real not only in other parts of Africa but right here in South Africa. My mission is to put a She PowHer menstrual cup into every menstruating female’s hands,” said Apostolov.
The popularity of menstrual cups is growing as a means to end period poverty considering the number of women in South Africa who can’t afford to purchase pads or tampons. A single menstrual cup is a route that would provide women years of peace of mind and freedom.
On the last day of the workshop, all students received a beautifully packaged She PowHer menstrual cup which came with a sterilising unit that doubled as a storage container. “During the course of this ‘Mandela week’, I feel so blessed to have interacted with and helped over 400 women with various disabilities.
“The beautiful ladies’ excitement was palpable to receive She PowHer menstrual cups.
“She PowHer Foundation legacy initiatives goes beyond 67 minutes, this is what we do daily. In the past, there were only two options, pads and tampons, now there is a third option, a healthier, more environmentally friendly more long-term sustainable option and women are demanding choices. One pack of pads is not going to end period poverty.”
Apostolov challenged feminine hygiene product companies to be more intentional with their corporate social investments/ responsibilities (CSI/CSR) and appealed that they provided a longer solution to keep girl children in school.
Apostolov has been conducting similar workshops and donations since September 2021 and has been to schools in various areas in Gauteng where she identified a need.
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