Success Capital restores period dignity for girls
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Thursday August 19, 2021 17:12
According to Success Capital chairperson, Kemelo Mozila they decided to celebrate the International Youth Day 2021 by making an impact on a girl-child’s life by donating sanitary pads to girls, their siblings and caregivers in partnership with the Bontleng Child Protection Committee. She said as a non-governmental organization (NGO), their mandate is to re-affirm their commitment to a girl-child. “Menstrual health is key to the health and well-being for everyone that menstruates.
We note the impact of the disposal of sanitary pads on the environment that calls for improved, more affordable and sustainable ways for us to ensure period dignity for everyone that menstruates. At Success Capital, language matters, recognising that there are issues of gender diversity that need to ensure that everyone who menstruates is included in policy making, service delivery and equality,” she said. Mozila also pointed out that their aim was to leave no one behind including a girl-child, marginalised community members and children whose rights were compromised. She also said COVID-19 affected a lot of people but it seemed like the girl-child who had always been affected by GBV, poverty and other situations had worsened even though they seem to be forgotten. She further appealed to the government to open doors for youths who knocked on its offices with ideas that could bring positive impact on communities and young people.
Speaking on behalf of Selemela Ward Councillor Robert Lekgaotswe, Phomolo Sekhute said they had a lot of youth in his ward many of whom more especially women were unemployed. He added that the sanitary pads donation would go a long way in addressing their needs. He explained that they will promote safe and healthy periods. “We are aware that there is high unemployment rate among the youth. The government cannot employ everyone therefore it is up to us as the youth to make an impact in our communities.
Let's help the government fight discrimination against the youth. Most of our youth stay in the city centre and faces some challenges. I wish you could host a workshop for them,” he said. Phanzi Lekgaotswe, Bontleng Ward councillor pointed out that girl-children in his ward face many problems. He said men tend to take advantage of those vulnerable girls, which also puts their lives and health at risk. He explained that Success Capital’s gesture will make a great impact on those girls’ lives as it subtracted one of their major problems.
He urged NGOs to continue supporting a girl-child. According to Elizabeth Matshaba, who is chairperson of Health Protection Committee in Bontleng, they observed that there was a dire need for sanitary pads in her community. She said many parents cannot not afford to buy sanitary pads for themselves and even for their daughters. As a result, many girls tend to stain themselves during menstruation days and use school jerseys to hide the stains.
She added that some girls end up using toilet paper or cloths during menstruation.
For his part, Adolescent and Young People (AYP) coordinator Nonofo Leteane said the donations came at a better time as the world including the country continue witnessing health challenges which continue to affect the quality of life such as the COVID-19 pandemic which completely affected the socio-economic status of every community and hence making it even more difficult to get basic commodities. “Botswana has a youthful population with approximately 70% of the population aged below 24 years. This is a diverse and dynamic segment of the population characterised by high levels of unemployment, under-employment and lack of meaningful engagement across all spheres of life. One in 10 girls in Africa miss school during their menstrual cycle. “This creates an impediment in closing the gender disparities that we often see in the labour sector and any other economic functions where more males are well represented compared to their female counterparts. This continues to make females more vulnerable to be dependent on men hence being at high risk of gender-based violence, HIV, STIs and other social ills,” he explained.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the psychological, physical, financial and social implications of menstrual hygiene are not often spoken about due to structural barriers that are cultural. He added that because of low socio-economic status of some families, young girls have no access to sanitary pads, which affects their dignity which is one of the greatest attributes a human being can have.