In South Africa, it is estimated that millions of girls are unable to access menstrual hygiene products. In 2018, a University of Stellenbosch study concluded that 30% of girls were still missing school due to periods and lack of access to sanitary towels.
To help alleviate these shocking figures Girls on the Go, a Clicks Helping Hand Trust Programme, has partnered with Gift of the Givers to distribute about 633 000 sanitary pads and products valued at R1,5 million.
On Thursday 26 May Clicks handed over more than 100 000 sanitary products at its head office in Woodstock.
These products will be distributed to organisations and schools nationwide identified by Gift of the Givers.
Menstrual Hygiene Day was commemorated on Saturday 28 May. The day aims to bring together government, organisations and individuals to promote good menstrual health and hygiene management, and break stigmas that exist around women and young girls experiencing their menstrual cycle.
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, Gift of the Givers Founder, says schoolgirls lose a lot of time from school because they don’t have access to sanitary products.
“It’s not only school children, it’s university students as well. They can’t lose anymore time simply because they are too embarrassed to come to school. By doing this we are doing several things. We take away the embarrassment, we bring back their dignity and we give them an opportunity not to lose time from school or university.”
Sooliman says he is grateful for the donation. “This is a huge contribution. When initiatives like this come to the fore, it’s heart-warming, it’s an example to other corporates in the industry space. The more corporates come to the party, the more people they support. We can make life better for a lot of people.”
Sooliman says they work with various organisations, schools and communities across the country and says the donations will be distributed where there is a great need.
“We have a roster, and our teams decide what is required and where. We have requests in our system, so we go back to our system and will accordingly deliver the items.”
Sooliman says following the Covid-19 pandemic it is imperative that hope and dignity is restored.
“Covid has destroyed the economy of this country. And we need to rebuild and give people hope, give them dignity and give them an opportunity to make progress. A simple thing like a pad makes a huge difference to education and dignity.”
Vikash Singh, Clicks Managing Executive, says they partnered with the humanitarian organisation because it strives to uplift the vulnerable and marginalised communities through their humanitarian initiatives.
Singh says: “They are a phenomenal organisation that does good work, they have a vast logistical network, and they have similar values of uplifting communities that Clicks has in terms of building a healthier future for all.”
We hope this is an example for other similar groups to come to the party. South Africa can only be built when government, corporates, organisations and the public hold hands. And we are on a mission now to help save this country, to fix it and to improve the quality of life for all. But we can only do this together,” concludes Sooliman.
