4 000 000 Girls in Crisis

According to Google and Wiki there are about 57.7 million people living in South Africa, and about half of those are women. That’s about 28.9 million women living in our country.

We recently asked our Women of Worth what they spend on sanitary pads and tampons a month, and the average amount was R120.00 per month, per household… some were less and some were more for various reasons.

If we halve the amount of women in South Africa, due to age as not having a monthly menstruation, the figures are still a multi-million Rand industry.

29 million divided in half = 14 500 000 x R120 = R1 740 000 000 per month, at the very least. That’s about R20 880 000 000 per year… yes, 21 Billion Rand Per Year is what the Sanitary Pad and Tampon business is worth in South Africa.

Is it any wonder that there are about 4 000 000 young school girls in South Africa who can’t go to school every month while they are menstruating? Simply because they can’t afford even the least expensive options of R50 per month, never mind the more expensive products that average between R120 to R200 per month.

Our school girls are in crisis… and we need to help.

Not some of us… all of us need to help… Individual Woman. Business Women. Corporates… and even the Government… as I’m told that sanitary pads and tampons are taxed as a luxury item. Really!

This is cavemen thinking and needs to change… today.

One young 15-year-old girl from Johannesburg’s Alexandra township says her unemployed mother already struggles to put food on the table, so pads are the last thing the family thinks about.

“When my mother tells me that she can’t buy me pads, I feel like they are depriving me. She tells me that I must use cloths and that makes me feel uncomfortable.”

Dignity should not be a luxury!

That’s Project Dignity’s simply slogan.

Their mission, “To empower young girls through education and access to sanitary wear to reach their full potential.”

The aim of Project Dignity is to reduce absenteeism and drop-out rates in schools, and increase opportunities for girls to complete their education with dignity.

There are 4 000 000 girls in South Africa between the ages of 13 and 19. This is the school going age of menstruating girls. Their Education is hindered by 25%, as these girls do not go to school whilst they are menstruating as they have no access to sanitary wear. That is one week every month, which is a massive set back in their school careers.

Please Like the Project Dignity Facebook Page.

Please Visit the www.subzpads.co.za website and get involved.

There is a Solution

A washable sanitary towel that is reusable and doesn’t need discarding.
With just R165 you can provide a young girl with a SubzPad pack which helps protect them against menstrual-related absenteeism for 5 years. Please donate to keep a girl in school.

Spring Fling Fundraiser
Wednesday, 5th September 2018

Please come along and support the first SUBZ~Project Dignity hosted Spring Fling High Tea event on Wednesday 5th September at Kloof Country Club.

The morning promises to be lots of fun with an informative talk by Ocean Conservationist and Expedition Leader Pam Le Noury.  Book a table, bring your besties or challenge your boss to let the ladies out for the morning for a few hours for a good cause.  There will be hampers, giveaways and prizes to be won on the morning.  The event is taking place at the Kloof Country Club which gives everyone easy access on and off the M13.  Please come along and have some fun and help Project Dignity continue to empower young girls and keep them in school.  To book your seat at the event please email brenda@subzpads.co.za by 31st August.  Cost of the tickets are R275 per person.

Website www.subzpads.co.za  and Project Dignity Facebook page.

Please “Donate Now” even R10 or R20 will make a difference in a young girl’s life!