It is a sad reality that the shortage of access to menstrual support and feminine hygiene products has an adverse impact on school-going girls in our communities. The Cape Winelands District Municipality continues to support the initiative of distributing sanitary towels to schools in the district.
This year, the CWDM departments of Rural and Social Development and Municipal Health Services, together with the provincial departments of Education and Health, identified schools with the highest need of this type of support. Many girls without access to basic sanitary protection stay away from school during menstruation in an effort to avoid an embarrassing accident.
During the handover, Municipal Health Services also presented a talk on personal hygiene at selected schools. Cllr Minnie Petersen (Portfolio Holder: Rural and Social Development) stated: “Access to sanitary towels and education on menstrual hygiene will allow our girls to live comfortably and feel more confident. Through these educational talks we also ensure that the young girls maintain good overall hygiene and stay cognisant of their environment by disposing of the menstrual products correctly.”
The CWDM and partners were able to distribute 10 537 packs of sanitary towels to schools across the district. Designated teachers at each school provide access to these products to the girls, who can now uninterruptedly attend school and have a greater chance of reaching their full potential.
