Limpopo First Lady, Maggie Mathabatha recently launched a project to support girls with sanitary towels at Moshia Secondary School on the farm Alma near Vaalwater.
The school is targeted to receive sanitary towels on a quarterly basis, made possible by staff members in the Office of the Premier who voluntarily made contributions towards purchasing sanitary towels.
According to a press release the officials managed to buy at least thirteen boxes, each of which contains nine packs of sanitary towels.
Last June, nine boxes were donated to Helen Franz Special School as part of the Youth Month Programme courtesy of staff members in the Office of the Premier.
Stakeholders such as the Departments of Education, health officials from the Primary Health Care programme, Department of Social Development, Waterberg District and Modimolle local municipalities were invited to attend this important programme.
“According to statistics, every day thousands of teenage girls in rural South Africa miss out on their education due to their monthly period. Their education is hindered by 25%, as girls do not go to school whilst they have their periods as they have no access to sanitary wear. That is one week in every month, which is a massive set-back in their school careers. Hence the towels to farm schools to ensure that school girls don’t miss out on education,” Kenny Mathivha, Spokesperson of the Premier said.”This visit will also make certain that learners are motivated and encouraged to take care of themselves.”
Mathabatha reportedly said: “We want them to use these sanitary towels and at the same time they should abstain from sex and focus on their education. It’s not a secret that our government went all out to ensure that there is a HIV free generation in the country. We can’t shy away from the fact HIV/ Aids has claimed many lives worldwide and has left families without parents. It’s equally imperative that, as we encourage children on education matters, they be warned of the damage this pandemic can cause to their lives.”
Story: NELIE ERASMUS
>>nelie.observer@gmail.com
Photo: First Lady Maggie Mathabatha at Moshia Secondary School in Waterberg district.
