Reusable sanitary wear is keeping disadvantaged girls in school: survey

Reusable sanitary wear is allowing schoolgirls in semi-urban and rural areas of SA to attend classes regularly.

An Ipsos survey found that Project Dignity – a non-profit concern disseminating reusable sanitary pads and underwear to disadvantaged schoolgirls – is having a positive impact on school attendance.

In 2010, a KwaZulu-Natal woman, Sue Barnes, who has a background in fashion design, created the country’s first reusable sanitary pad and underwear pack – Subz Pants and Pads – to address girls missing school because of the cost of sanitary wear.

The product is a patented design where the washable, reusable sanitary pad clips directly onto a 100% cotton panty.

Nearly 90 schoolgirls from three KwaZulu-Natal schools – who used the items as part of their menstrual management – took part in the survey.

A total of 57% of the schoolgirls said they are using Subz exclusively to manage menstruation, while 68% said the packs made it easier to attend school during menstruation. Seventy-five percent said the reusable packs made them feel more confident about managing menstruation.

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BY: SUTHENTIRA GOVENDER

SOURCE: TMG DIGITAL