Realogile girls freed at last
ALEXANDRA – Realogile girls finally reclaim all their school days.
Former late State President Nelson Mandela‘s spirit was invoked in the interest of the welfare and equal education for girls in Alexandra.
This was at the 2019 addition of the international celebration of the statesmen’s 18 July birthday at Realogile Secondary School when 864 schools girls received reusable sanitary pads. The donation by Palesa Pads company and sponsored by First Rand Merchant Bank was also for Women’s Month.
The event ambassador, Miss Inspire SA princess and Boston Media student Simphiwe Mahlangu, said about the pads. “They are a timely contribution to particularly girls from poor homes, child and granny-headed households who can’t afford the pads which are essential to keeping them in school when they are menstruating.
“It’s a necessary ‘gift’ at an important time and part of your life when you ought to take your education seriously and invest your energy in school work.
“This, in order for you to conquer the world for which you have the capacity and capability if you attend all your school days.”
Simphiwe said this in reference to many girls who miss classes from embarrassment, shame, ridicule, peer pressure and fear of exposing their stained dresses. “Some of them try to hide their predicament by using newspapers, socks and other unhygienic methods making themselves vulnerable to infections.
“The pads of which I am a dedicated user, are washable and will last them five years and into tertiary education.”
She explained that these items are made of 100 per cent cotton material used for sports clothing. “They are absorbent to stop leaking, have no fragrant and chemicals which have health risks.
“They are easy to wash and remove stains using washing powder, soap and vinegar which eliminates smell.”
She handed the colourful packs of multi-sized mega, midi and mini pads, soap and the vinegar in containers out to the appreciating girls.
Omphemetse Plaatjies of the company said the donation was in sync with Mandela’s commitment to the rights of all children’s lives to be secure and empowered. “We have donated the pads to 40 schools and need more corporate partners to extend the support to more girls countrywide,” she said adding that they will also donate to Pholosho Junior and Minerva Secondary schools in August.
Plaantjes said the reusable pads were environmentally friendly and the absence of chemicals helped to reduce cramps, period pains and odours. “The girls will no longer use harmful substances while menstruating or rely on men who abused them sexually as payback for getting them the pads.”
SAPS’ NPO, Men For Change which facilitated the partnership, decried society’s neglect of girls comparatively to boys. Constable Given Serema said poverty denied many of them access to basic essentials in life like health and education. “The neglect of particularly those from poor and child headed-households and those with alcohol-abusing parents results in their lowered self-esteem when in class. “They are forced to remain indoors to avoid ridicule and embarrassment by peers who mock or discriminate against them for the stains on their dresses and smells from unhealthy items used to prevent menstruation flow.”
He urged for more corporate and citizens’ partnerships and sponsorship of the pads to help girls from 13 years of age in all 13 primary and secondary schools in the township to attend all their school days.
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