Menstruation shouldn’t be a frustration

August was women’s month, and the Democratic Alliance Women’s Network (DAWN) is breaking down barriers to make South Africa a better place for every single one of its female citizens.

DAWN wants to “give dignity back” to women, and Duvha Combined School was the perfect place to further this initiative.

Cllr Marianne Venter and DAWN’s donation of sanitary pads and towels to Duvha Combined School.

Cllrs Koos and Marianne Venter, together with the Provincial DAWN Chairperson Annerie Weber, donated sanitary pads and sanitary towels on Wednesday, August 15 to Duvha Combined School in eMalahleni.

“65% of young female learners in South Africa miss three to five days of school per month due to their menstruation cycle,” Cllr Marianne Venter stated “there is not enough money in the family to buy sanitary pads because it’s more important to be able to put food on the table. Women fight so hard to be recognised and are still at a disadvantage because they have no access to sanitary pads. Therefore they miss a lot of school and underperform.”

Provincial DAWN Chairperson Annerie Weber (left) and Cllr Marianne Venter talked to the girls at Duvha Combined School about sexual education, STDs, the “blesser” culture, rape, abuse and gave career guidance.

Cllr Marianne Venter also handed over reusable sanitary towels which she made herself to show the girls that they can also help themselves if in need and to illustrate that women are capable of so much more than they allow themselves to believe.

Provincial DAWN Chairperson Annerie Weber addressed the young ladies at Duvha Combined School too. The discussion points were teenage pregnancies, sex education, STDs, the blesser culture, rape, abuse and career guidance. She encouraged all of the young girls in the school to take responsibility for themselves, to work hard and to make use of every opportunity that comes their way.

DAWN is serious about the empowerment of women across South Africa and try to donate sanitary pads to schools whenever it is feasible to do so.

DAWN and Duvha Combined School’s principal would like to encourage young girls to chase their dreams, no matter their circumstances. From left: Provincial DAWN Chairperson Annerie Weber, Duvha Combined School’s principal Mr David Masango and Cllr Marianne Venter.

DAWN has also started to manufacture sanitary towels, as Cllr Marianne Venter illustrated at Duvha Combined School, to provide to learners. These sanitary towels last anywhere from three to five whole years.

Cllrs Koos and Marianne Venter also donated two printers to Duvha Combined School.