March 2023.
The value and compounded impact of a collaborative initiative between REISA, Kathu Solar Community Trust, and the MENstruation Foundation, means that each of the nine schools in the Gamagara Local Municipal area will have access to free sanitary products. This gainful impact will go a long way to end period poverty, boost school attendance for hundreds of girls and increase awareness of these issues, throughout the communities.
As part of the programme, sanitary pad vending machines have been placed at the beneficiary schools, where they will be stocked up monthly to ensure sufficient supply to cater to the needs of more than 1 900 young girl learners, throughout the year. Tokens to access the pads at no cost will be provided to the schools.
By supporting equal access to education, the initiative aims to reduce the stress caused by monthly cycles. Furthermore, young girls from the various schools received support in the form of an educational talk on feminine hygiene and menstruation by the Boipelo Resources social workers.
“Our objective is to support socio-economic development initiatives, such as this one, that address the immediate needs of the community and are in line with the solar project’s goals and mission as a caring organisation seeking to leave a legacy of sustainable development in communities where we operate,” explained Shariefa Rhode, Communities Operations Manager for REISA Solar.
These compact machines do not use electricity and work on a simple rotation system. By being installed in the sick-bays at schools, it allows for privacy. Whatsmore, the sanitary towels are also manufactured in the Western Cape and is compostable.
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