Sanitary pads for 635 Vlakfontein learners
The core aim of the Caring4Girls programme of Imbumba Foundation is to help prevent the girls from losing valuable classroom contact time as well as to ensure that the dignity and comfort of the girl is protected.
During the recent handing over of a sanitary pad donation to learners at a local school, police warned against crime and rape.
Police spokesperson Captain Johannes Maheso was speaking during the handover which saw 635 schoolgirls at Vlakfontein secondary school receiving a year’s supply of sanitary pads on Wednesday.
The Banking Association of South Africa and Safer South Africa Foundation made the donation to grades 8 to 12 learners through Imbumba Foundation Caring4Girls Sanitary Pads initiative.
Vlakfontein was selected in consultation with the Department of Basic Education because of the challenges its schoolgirls face due to poverty.
Maheso told the learners that victims of rape could report the crime to their local police station.
“We don’t interview people who are raped publicly,” said Maheso.
“We have a victim empowerment centre and we also arrange counselling for the victims.”
He said it was inadvisable for victims to withdraw the case because of peer pressure as this resulted in more victims.
Learners who were victims of rape were urged to report such cases to police without delay, so that the necessary procedures such as gathering of evidence could begin.
Maheso said bathing immediately after the rape could result in such evidence being lost, hence it was best to immediately go to the police.
“There is a lot of gangsterism at schools and sadly even girls are part of these gangs,” he said.
Maheso said learners should refrain from partaking in such acts including drug use as this would destroy their future.
“Once you are arrested, you get a criminal record and it will be difficult for you to find a job,” he concluded.
Also speaking during the handover, Safer South Africa Foundation: CEO General Riah Phiyega said the foundation in consultation with Rev Molawa from the Department of Education chose Vlakfontein because of the challenges these girls face at school.
“The purpose of the initiative was to distribute a year’s supply of sanitary pads to 635 girl learners at the school.”
The core aim of Imbumba Foundation is to help ensure girls did not lose valuable classroom time as well as dignity and comfort during that time of the month.
“No schoolgirl should miss school because of menstruation,” Phiyega said.
“All the girls deserve free sanitary pads.”
“Therefore the schoolgirls of Vlakfontein secondary school will get a full year’s supply of sanitary pads.”
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