Sanitary pads out of reach for many
Baboki Kayawe | Monday March 9, 2015 17:32
This does not only compromise menstrual health, but it greatly diminishes the woman’s dignity and self-image as well.
While a section of the womenfolk’s population curse and term the menstruation period as “that time of the month” because of the pains some experience, a lot others are pained by inadequate resources, which turns womanhood into an ugly experience.
Realising the sordid experiences some women had to endure at the hands of biology, co-founder of Art is Love, Pato Kelesitse, saw it fitting to come up with a drive to collect pads for the less fortunate. This initiative was themed, “That time of the month.”
Last Friday, the organisation put smiles on the faces of Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) girls when donating heaps of sanitary pads to change “That Time of The Month.” The gesture was made possible through sponsorships from Barclays Bank, Debswana, Symphony Health and individual contributions.
“After working with women for four years, I realised that there were some women who go out without pads and some had to miss on school,” Pato said.
“Some had to use dirty pieces of material and toilet paper which isn’t hygienic,” she added.
Pato further said the event is intended to encourage individuals to donate pads and a drive, to support the women and children who for different reasons have no, or limited, access to sanitary pads.
The occasion was used concurrently to mark the International Women’s Day where these young women were coached through the essence of a woman.
Pato encouraged them to work hard in life and stand up for themselves as opposed to hoping that other people would make it happen for them.
“Make it happen for yourselves, instead of looking up to other people to make if happen for you,” she advised.
“We want to give the young ladies who are still in school, the opportunity to learn without missing school because of periods,” she said.
Meanwhile, a University of Botswana counsellor Motshwari Mabote has encouraged young women to set their priorities right, and to focus on what was crucial to realising their goals.
She said they must not allow memories of the past to shape their future.
“It is important to acknowledge and address the pain and hurt of the past, you need to reflect on this and work towards healing, in order to avoid the pain coming out the bad way,” said Mabote.
She said self-respect and preservation were pivotal as women carry on lots of responsibilities that required dignity and value.
Love is Art is a social enterprise whose primary focuses are to promote arts and raise funds for charities through performing arts ranging from acting, dance, singing and fine art and to spread awareness on the different social issues that we face as Batswana, mainly gender based issues.