Of the 22 million South African women and young girls who menstruate, 7.7 million (35%) don’t have the financial means to purchase sanitary products. And over 4 million women in schools, varsities and sport clinics miss education and training for an average of 5 days per month because of the lack of access to sanitary products.
When young girls are forced to miss school, it impacts every part of their personal life – as they may miss several days each month, leading to a loss of learning and falling behind their peers. While the numbers are staggering the hope is not lost as each effort taken plays a role in breaking the menstrual poverty cycle.
To support this issue, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Durban Umhlanga Ridge is serving as drop-off point for sanitary health donations. The goal is to collect 10,000 sanitary towels by the end of November 2023.
“Learning that young girls are being subjected to stigma and at times even miss school due to difficulty in managing their menstrual hygiene is heartbreaking. Access to menstrual health products is a basic human right and this sanitary drive is just one of many ways in which we can support to ensure that girls go to school with self-confidence,” comments Thuthukile Moloto, General Manager, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban Umhlanga Ridge.
All sanitary health products collected will be distributed to school-going girls and young women in need within the KZN community.
For more information or to get involved, call 031-582 6000 or visit Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Durban Umhlanga Ridge.
