The Harfield Village Association (HVA) has started a sanitary-pad collection drive for Women’s Month.
The isiDima campaign, which takes its name from the Xhosa word for dignity, is supported by residents and various non-profits, including O Graceland and the MENstruation Foundation.
HVA committee member Amrain Essop said they had already collected five boxes of pads and toiletries. “We need people to share details of our campaign on social media.”
She said they wanted to raise awareness of the fact that many women could not afford basic sanitary products.
O Graceland and MENstruation install sanitary pad vending machines for schools in need.
Pads and toiletries can be placed at drop boxes at various shop in the area. The public can also donate money to the HVA, indicating whether it is for the vending machines or for the isiDima campaign.
Ms Essop said Livingstone, Claremont and Heathfield high schools as well as The Alcardo Andrews Foundation, Girls Matter and Philiza Abafazi Bethu would be beneficiaries of the campaign.
Ward councillor Sharon Cottle donated 25 care packs and 25 sanitary packs last Friday. “It’s a great initiative to be part of, and we hope that more people can get involved to help the community to take care of our girls,” she said.
MENstruation also donated 500 sanitary pads to the campaign. Its chairman Marius Basson said they were committed to ending period poverty. “With this isiDima campaign, we distribute pads to communities in need and if other non-profits reach out to us and we have products left over we will assist them.”
Ms Essop said: “There is a huge gap in equality when it comes to women’s health, especially for the health of the underprivileged, and the only way we can affect change is if ordinary citizens can step up together and support our women in need.”
Visit the HVA Facebook page or harfieldvillage.org.za or email jamesfernie@uthandosa.org for more information.
