For many years Engen has been improving the quality of life and wellbeing of communities across South Africa. In an effort to help female learners with sanitary towels to help keep them in school during their monthly cycles, Engen donated R2.5 million to Caring4Girls back in 2018.
The oil company decided to support the initiative recently committed a further R1m to the programme. Caring4Girls is an Imbumba Foundation initiative that aims to provide 2 million girls with sanitary towels by the end of 2020 to help keep them in school during their monthly menstrual cycles.
According to the Imbumba Foundation, research has shown that underprivileged girls miss up to 50 days of school per year due to inaccessible feminine hygiene care.CEO Richard Mabaso said the Caring4Girls programme creates a voice for girls in addition to distributing sanitary materials.
“Caring4Girls also provides health education on puberty and adolescence to demystify menstrual-related myths and break down societal taboos, whilst promoting positive body literacy and autonomy, as well as gender equality,” he said.
During the month of November 2020, sanitary pads will be distributed to over 5,270 female learners at 12 schools located close to Engen storage facilities in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West and Free State.
“We cannot thrive as a society if some of our female learners are left behind because they are unable to attend school due to feminine hygiene issues, which is why we are proud to partner with the Imbumba Foundation and contribute to this meaningful initiative,” said Engen MD and CEO Yusa’ Hassan.
