Our campaign to keep girls at school

Independent Media, in partnership with Dis-Chem and the Dis-Chem Foundation, has announced the launch of a campaign aimed at keeping girls at school by ensuring no interruptions to their education because of their monthly period.

The project, with the co-operation of Caring4Girls, aims to amass more than a million sanitary towels between September 14 and mid-October, and is calling on the public to assist.

It is estimated girls between the ages of 12 and 18 in disadvantaged areas can miss up to a quarter of their schooling when menstruating because they do not have access to feminine hygiene products, or can’t afford them.

Dis-Chem has installed branded drop-bins in all 88 stores countrywide for customers to donate sanitary towels during the campaign. Three major suppliers, Always, Lil-lets and Stayfree, have committed to donating generously.

“This initiative is critical to ensure young girls stay at school. It will assist them with their potential, self-value and opportunities to thrive,” said Lynette Saltzman, founder of the Dis-Chem Foundation.

Independent Media is committed to the education of school children. “Through our publications we reach more than five million people daily and millions more online. Our partnership with this project will help many young women realise their full potential”, said Lutfia Vayej, group executive for marketing and communication.

The drive is part of the Imbumba Vision 2020, which aims to develop a generation of young leaders who inspire their communities and peers into greater efforts to improve opportunity in rural areas.

Richard Mabaso, head of the Imbumba Foundation, said the aim of the programme was to educate and assist.

“We provide puberty and menstrual hygiene training to underprivileged girls, support them with sanitary towels for a minimum of one year and give each girl a menstrual hygiene booklet.”

Staff Reporter