She PowHer summit 2025 sparks dialogue about menstrual dignity in Sandton
The summit brought together leaders in government, corporate South Africa, education, and development to reframe menstrual health as a matter of public investment, economic justice, and human rights.
The event was held a day after World Menstrual Health Day, which was a rallying call to make menstrual equity a national priority.
Keynote speaker, the Minister of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, delivered a passionate address, calling for greater accountability and transparency in how menstrual dignity funds are spent across provinces. 'This ministry must be the one to answer questions around how provinces are spending the money, whether or not they are buying sanitary pads from women-owned companies. It is not about women's issues; it's about dignity, equity, and basic human rights.'
Also read: SAOA encourages women to take care of their eye care
Chikunga confirmed that, through national treasury allocations, the department distributed sanitary pads to schools across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, the Free State, and the Northern Cape in 2024, focusing on quintile 1–3 schools and disadvantaged communities.
She also highlighted the implementation of the Sanitary Dignity Framework, which prioritises free, quality, and SABS-compliant menstrual products in public institutions.
The summit featured dynamic speakers, including representatives from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Aspen Pharmacare's Dr Stavros Nicolaou, and humanitarian Yavi Madurai, all echoing the urgent need to shift menstrual health into the mainstream of development discussions.
Read more: Women Investment Network ignites movement for gender equity in investment landscape
At the helm of the movement is Dr Ruth Apostolov, founder of the foundation, whose advocacy has resulted in the distribution of more than 30 000 menstrual cups across Southern Africa. 'This is more than a summit; it is a movement. We are saying Africa doesn't need to import solutions, we manufacture them.'
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