While we should celebrate the major strides that have been made to improve gender equality, we should also acknowledge how biases still perpetuate inequity for women. One issue that manifests from these biases is period poverty.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2021/05/28/stop-the-stigma-period/
As part of their Women’s Day initiatives ActionSA PR councillors from the Johannesburg West Constituency, Esmie Liebenberg, Elmari Atterbury-Nel and Carin van der Schyf celebrated Women’s Day in a most meaningful and productive manner.
On Tuesday, August 9 these leaders took it upon themselves to tackle a few of the delicate matters in our societies – period poverty and women’s dignity.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2022/04/28/million-comforts-for-girls/
The trio collaborated with Davidsonville community leaders and Project Intombi to empower women with life skills and a donation of reusable sanitary pads.
“Period poverty in South Africa is an everyday challenge that our women have to face. According to research nearly half of our female population can’t buy both food and sanitary products. A vast majority of school-going young ladies are also constantly deprived of the opportunity to attend to their education because they can’t afford basic needs,” said Carin.
She elaborated more on the idea of re-usable sanitary pads. “Approximately 220 000 tons of menstrual waste end up in our landfills, with a single pad containing up to the equivalent of five plastic carrier bags, which takes up to 500 years to decompose. However, re-usable sanitary pads can last the user between three and five years, with a once-off cost of R150.”
Carin added that for the same period disposable sanitary pads would cost an average of R2 160, therefore it is not only more cost effective, but also kind to the environment.
“Period poverty is an issue that should not only be addressed during Women’s Month, but should be made an all-year-round priority,” she concluded.
