A year's supply of sanitary towels worth about R3000 were distributed to girls at Charles Morgan Senior Secondary School in Ginsberg yesterday.
The initiative was to help alleviate absenteeism, restore dignity and promote healthy hygiene among the girls in the poverty- stricken area.
Four officials from the department of health – currently doing their Masters in public health at the University of Fort Hare – identified four schools around King William’s Town which they were conducting research on.
Charles Morgan was deemed the most suitable and needy for the team to assist as part of their community outreach programme.
Hospital management district deputy director Xolani Tofu said despite the area being his home township, the school had recently been upgraded to senior secondary.
“While conducting our research and through conversations with the teachers we found that 132 of the girls had already started their menstrual cycle and some of the girls absconded from school during their periods, which can go up to four days.
“Some resort to using unhygienic measure which cause bacterial infections – washing cloths and toilet paper – because they cannot afford sanitary towels.
“Others stay at home and don’t go to school because they do not want to embarrass themselves at school because they do not have the proper protection.
“The pads will boost their self esteem and give them dignity.”
Tofu said they had engaged with teachers to identify the right amount for an entire year.
“Although we understand menstrual cycles vary, it was established that nine pads were enough for each child a month, although it also depends on their flow.”
Each of the 132 pupils will receive at least nine sanitary towels from the school each month until the end of September next year.
Tofu said the pads would be left at the school to avoid pupils from sharing with family and friends and also to encourage them to attend classes.
Grade 7 teacher Noludwe Mazantsana said the effort was much appreciated.
“We often supplied pupils with our own pads because we know the plight at the school. This can be costly for us too.”
Sanitary towels boost for schoolgirls
The initiative was to help alleviate absenteeism, restore dignity and promote healthy hygiene among the girls in the poverty- stricken area.
Four officials from the department of health – currently doing their Masters in public health at the University of Fort Hare – identified four schools around King William’s Town which they were conducting research on.
Charles Morgan was deemed the most suitable and needy for the team to assist as part of their community outreach programme.
Hospital management district deputy director Xolani Tofu said despite the area being his home township, the school had recently been upgraded to senior secondary.
“While conducting our research and through conversations with the teachers we found that 132 of the girls had already started their menstrual cycle and some of the girls absconded from school during their periods, which can go up to four days.
“Some resort to using unhygienic measure which cause bacterial infections – washing cloths and toilet paper – because they cannot afford sanitary towels.
“Others stay at home and don’t go to school because they do not want to embarrass themselves at school because they do not have the proper protection.
“The pads will boost their self esteem and give them dignity.”
Tofu said they had engaged with teachers to identify the right amount for an entire year.
“Although we understand menstrual cycles vary, it was established that nine pads were enough for each child a month, although it also depends on their flow.”
Each of the 132 pupils will receive at least nine sanitary towels from the school each month until the end of September next year.
Tofu said the pads would be left at the school to avoid pupils from sharing with family and friends and also to encourage them to attend classes.
Grade 7 teacher Noludwe Mazantsana said the effort was much appreciated.
“We often supplied pupils with our own pads because we know the plight at the school. This can be costly for us too.”
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