Breaking barriers

Addressing period poverty through community support

Access to sanitary products remains a significant barrier to education for many learners in South Africa. According to Health-e News, approximately 7 million women and girls in the country cannot afford menstrual products, forcing many to miss school during their periods. This challenge contributes to educational inequalities, particularly in under-resourced communities.

Recognizing this pressing need, the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), in partnership with the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking (SDSCT), launched a community-driven initiative to collect and donate sanitary pads and stationery for learners. This programme aims to provide essential support while raising awareness of the broader issue of period poverty and its impact on education.

At the start of the school year, representatives from SACEMA and SDSCT delivered a donation of sanitary products to Eurecon Primary School in Elsies River. This initiative is more than a one-time effort—it is part of a broader commitment to supporting learners and ensuring that no student misses school due to a lack of menstrual products.

By addressing this issue, we hope to contribute to sustainable solutions and inspire more community-driven efforts. As we reflect on the success of this first year, we look forward to expanding our impact and collaborating with like-minded organisations to create lasting change.

We hope to take this challenge forward on an annual basis!