Period Poverty

As South African women, this is a term we should all familiarise ourselves with, even if we don’t experience it ourselves. In SA, period poverty affects an estimated 7 to 8 million women and girls who lack consistent access to safe, affordable menstrual products, functional sanitation facilities, or adequate health education. It remains a significant socioeconomic driver of gender inequality across the country. 

Key Impact Areas

- 30% of SA schoolgirls miss up to a week of school every month during their period due to a lack of sanitary products or private toilet facilities. Over an academic career, this can equate to missing up to two years of schooling. 

- Unable to afford disposable pads or tampons, many resort to improvised, unsafe alternatives (rags, old clothes, socks, or newspaper). These materials increase the risk of urogenital infections and reproductive health complications. 

- Rural and township schools frequently lack running water, safe waste disposal, or private toilets, leaving girls unable to manage their periods with dignity even if products are available.

- Household budgets in lower-income communities often prioritise food and basic utilities over hygiene products. When a choice between a meal and a pack of pads arises, food takes precedence. 

Key Interventions & Progress

- Following advocacy campaigns in 2019 like ⁠#BecauseWeBleed⁠, the SA government removed the 15% Value-Added Tax (VAT) from sanitary pads to lower consumer prices. 

- Provincial departments of education periodically distribute free pads in quintile 1 to 3 (no-fee) schools, though distribution consistency and logistical coverage remain ongoing challenges.

Non-Profit Mobilisation:

• MENstruation Foundation: Installs pad vending machines in school bathrooms to offer free, dignified access. 

• Project Dignity: Distributes washable, reusable pads and underwear sets that last up to 5 years alongside comprehensive health education. 

• The CORA Project & Qrate ZA: Work to de-stigmatise menstruation through workshops for youth and parents, tackling shame and bullying in classrooms.

Go to www.sanalifestyle.co.za to view our Practitioner Network.