Government seeks to empower women by introducing new policy

Amandla.mobi, an organisation working to build a just society and based in Braamfontein, has welcomed the decision by government to work on a sanitary towel policy.

This follows an announcement by Susan Shabangu, Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, at the joint sitting of Parliament debate on the 16 days of Activism for no Violence Against Women and Children on 22 November.

According to amandla.mobi’s executive director, Koketso Moeti, when women and girls lack money to buy sanitary towels, they may miss work or school and end up financially reliant on men. This means they remain in violent relationships that they would ordinarily leave.

“This is a huge step in ensuring that the dignity and health of girls and women [are] prioritised. We welcome this announcement and hope to be provided with more specific time frames to ensure that the implementation phase is reached as swiftly as possible,” she said.

Moeti revealed that the organisation had been calling for the provision of sanitary towels to low-income communities.

“The amandla.mobi community will continue to collectively challenge the many barriers faced by black women and children and this announcement is vindication that it is possible,” concluded Moeti.

Shabangu advised that the policy should be ready next year.

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