South Africa

Through discussions with various organisations who have committed themselves to the fight against period poverty in SA, we have come to realise that lack of legislation in SA does not perpetuate period poverty in the country like in others, but the biggest contributor is the poor implementation of otherwise effective legislative that has been well-research.

As a result, we came across the Sanitary Dignity Framework compiled by our government’s Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. The Framework is phenomenally detailed and can be found here.

One of our own SA division members Alexandra Melissa Hughes has compiled a comprehensive summary of the Framework which can be found here.

The reality is that almost all South Africans, female and male, including our government (as stated in the Framework) believe that every person who menstruates in SA needs access to free, good-quality sanitary products. This assessment was reached by the public opinion survey we distributed and whose results are available here.

Therefore we conclude that access to free, good-quality sanitary products is non-negotiable for South Africans, however reports of inconsistent slow distribution of substandard sanitary products to select areas in SA by our government has made this negotiable. Women’s lives and their well functionings should never be overlooked.

As much as we can praise the efforts of independent organisations that are making positive changes to the lives of menstruators, the bottom line is that our government is responsible for the people of SA and having committed to progressive legislation such as the Framework, they need to be held accountable for the +30% of girls that do not attend school because of their periods.

These girls are subjected to unthinkable means to handle processes that are natural to them and not within their control.

To improve the situation we believe all South Africans need to be taught exactly what period poverty is and what role they can play in the fight to end period poverty in SA, especially males who are oftentimes seen as increasing stigmatisation around periods. This incudes elders who can assist youths who menstruate.

Secondly, our government needs to make ending period poverty a priority. Efforts to end period poverty coincides with government efforts to end poverty in the country. Government can implement programs and team up with already established organisations to distribute reusable pads.This will ensure their efforts are long-lasting and if accompanied by educational sessions that explain how menstruation works and makes recipients feel appreciated not indebted, government efforts will effectively end period poverty in SA.

To achieve this, the public of SA needs to hold our government accountable and lobby for sufficient government implementation. For example, all schools can make writing a letter to a local legislator explaining the importance of ending period poverty a mandatory school assignment.

Holding events in any form to raise awareness is also super useful. Our team together with the Kenyan IAD team put together a significant event entitled ‘The Period Poverty Implication: Kenya vs South Africa’. The event highlighted the differences between SA and Kenya concerning period poverty in each country. We were joined by expert panelists that drew attention to a specific South African statistic which stated that the majority of females who missed going to school and university due to their menstruation did so because of the menstrual pain.

This shows that our government despite the comprehensiveness of the Framework, still has a lot of work to do to understand the realities of South African menstruators. Greater data needs to be collected to better direct government efforts.

Ending period poverty in SA is of the utmost importance for all economically disadvantaged females. Period poverty severely disables women and prevents them from living a life of their choosing.

A big thank you goes out to the exceptional South African women that have worked graciously to produce research and information on period poverty:

Alexandra Melissa Hughes

Bongiwe Bhehe-Mkandla

Imameleng ‘Keke’ Leeuw

Nthabiseng Dikobe

Thenjiwe Matji