No Pads = No School! PERIOD!!

Being a creator of life should not be a prison sentence. Yet for over 2.1 million young women growing up in poverty in South Africa, the very fact that they menstruate is a significant reason they will stay imprisoned in poverty.

Education is one of the most powerful forces in financial empowerment. Study after study has shown that educating girls is one of the most effective ways to shift entire communities out of poverty. Being literate and numerate makes economic empowerment and self sufficiency significantly more likely for a women which in turn give her choices. They can get job, start a business and by doing so transform their own life as well as the lives of those around her.

BUT

To have this chance and this choice means actually getting educated and getting educated means actually being in school. Girls living in poverty typically use and reuse old rags, leaves, sand, bark and newspaper during their periods. This combined with poor toilet facilities makes menstrual management seriously difficult and fear of embarrassing leaks and stains combined with cultural taboos is a huge factor in teenage girls missing large numbers of school days. In South Africa 1 in 10 girls miss 5 school days a month and up to 50 days a year causing them to fall behind and drop out of school.

This is why I am so passionate about helping teenage girls with menstruation management and supports #Caring4Girls and the Imbumba Foundation!