Latest news with #menstrualhygiene
News24
6 days ago
- Business
- News24
SPAR fights period poverty with affordable menstrual care
About seven million South African women are held captive by 'period poverty' and face potential long-term consequences that begin with missing school and later lead to lost educational and employment opportunities, says SPAR South Africa, which announced today (date to be inserted) that it is launching a practical national campaign to help women have access to affordable hygiene products. From May 28, designated as Menstrual Hygiene Day worldwide, SPAR will support menstrual health for women by ensuring that, for under R100 per year (on average R6 per month), girls and women can access sanitary towels at SPAR stores throughout South Africa, says Mpudi Maubane, National PR, Communications & Sponsorships Manager at The SPAR Group. The offer will continue until further notice says Maubane, stressing that the objective is part of SPAR's commitment to helping promote the dignity of all South African women by working to bring an end to period poverty by 2030. 'Presently, about 30% of the nation's girls miss school regularly because they can't afford menstrual hygiene products. Each girl misses about 50 days of schooling a year, placing her at a learning disadvantage. This situation is exacerbated by the lack of basic sanitation and toilets in more than 1,700 schools, where shortages of running water and soap are also common.' 'We are dedicated to implementing practical interventions by making sanitary products affordable and easily accessible. At the same time, we support ongoing efforts to normalise conversations around menstruation, a subject often avoided or regarded as taboo in many sectors of society.' As a community-based retailer, SPAR is committed to supporting the health and dignity of all women and girls. Breaking the stigma requires the involvement of everyone. SPAR is determined to lead the way by promoting discussions about what is a natural feminine function, and by fostering understanding and support, finding ways to address the issues of period poverty in schools and workplaces, stresses Maubane. 'By enabling girls and women, especially those who face financial challenges, to buy quality pads at a price that will fit even the tightest household budgets, SPAR South Africa is proud to be fostering the development of an inclusive society in which women can take their rightful places without being held back by something as natural as menstruation,' says Maubane. For Further information about the SPAR campaign and ways to contribute to ending period poverty in South Africa, visit
Telegraph
28-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
‘Woke' rail company fails to mention women in free tampon scheme
A train company has failed to mention women or females in a free tampon scheme. Avanti West Coast instead referred to 'customers' and 'people' who may benefit from the rollout of the toiletries. On Wednesday, the train company announced that free period care would be available on its trains. The Package for a Friend scheme, which coincides with Menstrual Hygiene Day, allows 'customers' to request pads from staff in the onboard shop. Alternatively, the company said travellers could place an order on their click and collect service to discreetly pick up goods from a member of staff without having to ask. It said the scheme was thought of following suggestions from employees, including those involved in the operator's Gender Network, to 'help customers when in need'. Kathryn O'Brien, the customer experience director at Avanti West Coast, said: 'We want everyone to have a comfortable journey when travelling with us, and know the importance of making essential items available on board our trains to enable this. 'So we're pleased to now be offering free period care, and hope our customers will feel reassured they can access them when they need during their journey.' However, the official release made no mention of women or females, with critics accusing Avanti of being 'extremely offensive' to women. Mary Howden, of the Women's Rights Network, told The Telegraph: 'While it is commendable that Avanti West Coast is offering its customers period products, it is disappointing that it fails to acknowledge that those customers will all be women. 'The erosion of language that relates only to women is not inclusive. It is clumsy and often unclear, and many women find it extremely offensive.' It is understood that Avanti West Coast used the term 'customers' to make sure travellers know that the free period products made available are available to all. It comes after the company was accused of ' virtue-signalling nonsense ' after repainting one of its trains in diversity-themed livery. The train was painted in bold artwork celebrating the diversity of its workforce and the communities it serves. However, the move sparked a backlash as Gareth Bacon, the shadow transport secretary, claimed passengers deserved 'better than this farce'.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Period Promise event tackles period poverty on Menstrual Hygiene Day
Members of Chatham-Kent Secondary School's student council at their own menstrual product drive. (Source: The United Way Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent) The United Way Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent is holding a drive-through donation event, collecting menstrual products to combat period poverty. The products collected will support people with periods in the Chatham-Kent region. 'Period Promise is about dignity, equity, and ensuring everyone in our community has access to the basic products they need,' said Lorraine Goddard, CEO of the United Way Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent. 'Menstrual hygiene products are essential, not optional. This event gives our community a meaningful way to help remove the barriers too many people still face.' If you would like to drop off products, the drive-through will run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., accepting pads, tampons, pantyliners, menstrual cups, and other brand new, unopened products. They can be delivered to Our Savior's Lutheran Church at 445 McNaughton Avenue West, Chatham. If you are unable to make it in person, you are asked to help spread the word, organize a mini drive, or consider making a donation online here. Collection was kicked off by the Chatham-Kent Secondary School student council, who organized their own school-wide drive to support Period Promise.
