Innovative Solutions Group came to the rescue, again – this time to ensure that Mimi Women reaches its 1 Million Sanitary Pads target by 28 May, which is recognised as World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
Essentially, the Group’s sponsorship has contributed towards keeping 32 500 previously disadvantaged girls in school without fear of being ridiculed and embarrassed because of their menstruation.
Their support of schoolgirls extends beyond South Africa’s nine provinces, to include three African countries.
Menstrual Hygiene Day is a global platform that brings together non-profits, government agencies, the private sector, the media and individuals to promote menstrual hygiene management.
In doing so, the movement helps break the silence and builds awareness about the fundamental role that good menstrual hygiene management plays in enabling women and girls to reach their full potential.
Mimi founder and CEO Ramona Kasavan says that it is only fitting that the organisation is able to reach this incredible milestone alongside a day whose vision is so entrenched with their own mandate.
“Menstruation should not result in girls missing days of school, exams and ultimately on a career. As South Africa’s first and only black female owned sanitary pad company, we aim to reduce girl absenteeism through the distribution of free or affordable sanitary pads. We are therefore so grateful of partners such as Innovative Solutions Group who make it all possible through the aid of corporate sponsorships.”
During last year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Violence on Women and Children, Innovative Solutions Group sponsored R180 000 to Mimi Women.
This donation was specifically to keep 800 girls from Gatang Secondary School and 200 girls from Bajabulile Primary School in school through a year’s supply of free sanitary pads.
“We are proud of our association with Mimi and congratulate them on hitting the 1 million sanitary pad mark, but more so for bringing awareness to the plight of the girl child who is often forced to use old rags as substitute pads, entertain a ‘blesser’ (sugar daddy) or have yet another sleepless night because they are worried about how many schools they will miss due to their monthly period,” says Arnoux Maré, Group CEO of Innovative Solutions Group and Managing Director of Innovative Staffing Solutions.
“As a proudly South African company invested in the wellbeing of over 6,600 employees and the communities in which they live, we are intrinsically aware of the negative impact of poverty on education. We are therefore passionate about playing our part in making a tangible difference in the lives of these children, who are our future leaders.”
The late statesman and global icon, Nelson Mandela, once said that ‘education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world.’
At Innovative Solutions Group, much of the assistance provided to communities through its CSI programme is channelled at improving education.
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