Pretoria – The target to raise sufficient funds to distribute 18 000 Dignity Dreams' packs to girls and women who are unable to afford sanitary wear has been reached, the Presidency has announced.
Dignity Dreams, in partnership with the Deputy Minister in the Presidency Buti Manamela, challenged leading corporations to meet the needs of South Africa's schoolgirls during the 67 days between 13 May 2015 and Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July 2015.
The Presidency said the response was overwhelming and to date enough money has been raised for 18 030 packs.
“We are hugely grateful to all our contributors for this incredible support. I would particularly like to thank the hundreds of ordinary, hardworking South Africans who donated their own money to this special cause,” Sandra Millar, Founder of Dignity Dreams, said.
According to research, girls who cannot afford sanitary products miss approximately five days of school a month during their monthly cycles, and this amounts to 60 missed school days.
The lack of affordable sanitary products for girls and young women places them at a disadvantage in terms of education when they are young and prevents their mobility and productivity as young women.
Deputy Minister Manamela partnered with Dignity Dreams to ensure that girls are kept in school; facilitating a donation from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and walking for Dignity Dreams at the 702 Walk the Talk on 26 July and auctioning his 702 t-shirt for R3000.
He also held a soccer tournament to raise funds for the reusable sanitary packs.
"We recognise the importance of young girls having access to safe and hygienic sanitary pads. It is an honour to support Dignity Dreams in the Nelson Mandela Campaign. We will continue in our partnership with Dignity Dreams beyond the Mandela Month and we will not rest until every young girl has access to sanitary towels and is able to complete their education” said Deputy Minister Buti Manamela.
Ordinary South Africans also contributed towards the cause.
Grade 5 and 6 pupils from Glenstantia Primary School and Grade 10 and 11 pupils from St Dominic Girls High School all donated their pocket money towards the Dignity Dreams packs.
The largest single donation was donated by the (NYDA), which donated R200 000 resulting in the production of 1 248 sanitary towels. This was followed by the Bonitas donation of R100 000 and Placecol, which contributed R50 000.
Placecol also sold Dignity Dreams packs through its outlets and donated an SMS line for the duration of the campaign. All other contributions were from the South African public and corporates.
The distribution of the 18 030 packs will be staggered over the next four months to all nine provinces.
So far packs have been distributed to two high schools in Modimolle, in Limpopo and to the Department of Social Development for the benefit of orphaned girls.
The products are South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) approved and require minimal water for washing. Unlike disposable sanitary pads, the reusable pads can last for a period of five years and they are also designed to promote environmental sustainability. – SAnews.gov.za
