Appeal for pads to keep girls in school

THE girls are back in school

– and the mission is to keep them there.

Studies showed that annually, schoolgirls without access to feminine hygiene miss on average 50 schooling days due to menstrual-related hygiene challenges.

They make use of unhygienic materials such as clothes, newspapers, grass and plastic as an alternative. The Caring4Girls programme, driven by the Imbumba Foundation, tackles the plight of impoverished girls who often miss school during their menstrual cycles.

The aim of the Caring4Girls programme, which is a Mandela Day project, is to ensure access to much-needed sanitary pads so girls may stay in school, and therefore ensure the development and growth of young South African women with dignity.

The Dis-Chem Foundation, Million Comforts and Caring4Girls have partnered again to ensure that the dignity of these school-going girls remains intact.

Last year, the partnership managed to generate donations of 10 500 000 pads, exceeding the target by 500 000. Albeit the target of 10 million pads was exceeded, this has been kept the same for 2020.

The foundation has ensured that donation bins will be available at more than 170 Dis-Chem stores nationwide in order to facilitate donations in-store. Customers may purchase sanitary pads and simply place them in the bins to donate and add their comfort.

Products may also be donated when purchasing online.

Independent Media will be driving awareness of the campaign through their stable of daily and weekend newspaper titles across the country, as well as their growing digital and social media platforms.

As a media group, Independent media is committed to the continuing education of South African schoolchildren.