Period poverty is rife around the world and exists at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), where desperate students resort to using socks when menstruating because they cannot afford sanitary pads or tampons.
Close to 2000 pads have been donated by a vendor and alumnus of UWC.
A new initiative to elevate student wellness at UWC launches today, 8 March 2024, on International Women’s Day, with its first act being the provision of sanitary pads to students.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Student Representative Council (SRC) and UWC’s Department of Institutional Advancement (IA).
The sanitary pad project is part of a broader campaign under the umbrella of the #UdubsCares wellness initiative for students.
More than 200 units of toothpaste will also be donated on the day, with the intention of growing the momentum of this campaign.
The University already has a food security programme and assists academically deserving students through its Access to Success campaign for student tuition, its Wysa app for student wellness, and its Centre for Student Support Services.
Research released by The Household Affordability Index, which tracks food price data, has revealed a steep year-on-year increase in the cost of a household food basket.
Data from 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries in the country’s biggest cities, including Cape Town, is calculated as part of the index.
Year-on-year, the cost of a household food basket in Cape Town increased by almost R170. The items listed exclude hygiene or cleaning products.
Escalating living expenses are not isolated to a certain group of people and affect everyone, including students. #UdubsCares aims to alleviate some of this burden for students, particularly in the areas of hygiene and wellness products.
Born out of a dire need, members of the SRC approached IA to assist with relief for female students, as many would approach its office on the main campus requesting sanitary pads. Inathi Gogela, the Gender and Security Officer for the SRC, is very passionate about the initiative.
“Many students don't have access to sanitary pads and often they also don’t have money to purchase them. I feel as a SRC member I have a duty to increase the accessibility to sanitary pads around campus, because some students travel from far to the University and will have to wait until they are on campus before they can request help.” said Gogela.
She explained that many students are so desperate that they will use cloth or socks as an alternative. Her sentiments are shared by SRC Deputy Secretary, General Marcfalda Nani Mogola.“
“As a female SRC member, I have my own sanitary pad bag and often I take my own sanitary pads if a student is in need. Some students can't go to class because they menstruate and they don't have the necessary hygiene and health products,” said Mogola.
Nigel Ogle of The Barn, donated 2 000 pads. “As a former UWC student, it was really important for me to get involved. What is even more important is that I am the father of two daughters who, fortunately, will have access to sanitary pads of their choice without concern.
A vendor and alumnus of the university, Nigel Ogle of The Barn, donated 2 000 pads. “As a former UWC student, it was really important for me to get involved. What is even more important is that I am the father of two daughters who, fortunately, will have access to sanitary pads of their choice without concern. I truly felt the need to help female students who don't have the same option due to accessibility and financial constraints,” said Ogle.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Development and Support, Professor Matete Madiba, has welcomed the initiative .
“In honor of International Women's Day, I am delighted to announce a collaborative initiative aimed at providing female students in our institution with access to sanitary products. We cannot ignore the fact that some of our students struggle to acquire menstrual hygiene products, which can have an adverse effect on their health, academic success and overall well-being, and undermine their dignity,” she said.
“To ensure that every student in our community has access to menstrual hygiene products, regardless of their financial status, the Division of Student Development and Support has teamed up with our student leaders and the Department of Institutional Advancement. I encourage everyone in the UWC community to support our female students. Together, we can make a significant impact on their lives.”
Listen to the Gender and Security Officer for the SRC, Inathi Gogela speak about helping students
Listen to the SRC Deputy Secretary-General Marcfalda Nani Mogola speak the importance of accessibility to pads
Close to 2000 pads have been donated by a vendor and alumnus of UWC. A new initiative to elevate student wellness at UWC launches today, 8 March 2024, on International Women’s Day, with its first act being the provision of sanitary pads to students.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Student Representative Council (SRC) and UWC’s Department of Institutional Advancement (IA).
The sanitary pad project is part of a broader campaign under the umbrella of the #UdubsCares wellness initiative for students.
More than 200 units of toothpaste will also be donated on the day, with the intention of growing the momentum of this campaign.
The University already has a food security programme and assists academically deserving students through its Access to Success campaign for student tuition, its Wysa app for student wellness, and its Centre for Student Support Services.
Research released by The Household Affordability Index, which tracks food price data, has revealed a steep year-on-year increase in the cost of a household food basket.
Data from 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries in the country’s biggest cities, including Cape Town, is calculated as part of the index.
Year-on-year, the cost of a household food basket in Cape Town increased by almost R170. The items listed exclude hygiene or cleaning products.
Escalating living expenses are not isolated to a certain group of people and affect everyone, including students. #UdubsCares aims to alleviate some of this burden for students, particularly in the areas of hygiene and wellness products.
Born out of a dire need, members of the SRC approached IA to assist with relief for female students, as many would approach its office on the main campus requesting sanitary pads. Inathi Gogela, the Gender and Security Officer for the SRC, is very passionate about the initiative.
“Many students don't have access to sanitary pads and often they also don’t have money to purchase them. I feel as a SRC member I have a duty to increase the accessibility to sanitary pads around campus, because some students travel from far to the University and will have to wait until they are on campus before they can request help.” said Gogela.
She explained that many students are so desperate that they will use cloth or socks as an alternative. Her sentiments are shared by SRC Deputy Secretary, General Marcfalda Nani Mogola.“
“As a female SRC member, I have my own sanitary pad bag and often I take my own sanitary pads if a student is in need. Some students can't go to class because they menstruate and they don't have the necessary hygiene and health products,” said Mogola.
Nigel Ogle of The Barn, donated 2 000 pads. “As a former UWC student, it was really important for me to get involved. What is even more important is that I am the father of two daughters who, fortunately, will have access to sanitary pads of their choice without concern. A vendor and alumnus of the university, Nigel Ogle of The Barn, donated 2 000 pads. “As a former UWC student, it was really important for me to get involved. What is even more important is that I am the father of two daughters who, fortunately, will have access to sanitary pads of their choice without concern. I truly felt the need to help female students who don't have the same option due to accessibility and financial constraints,” said Ogle.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Development and Support, Professor Matete Madiba, has welcomed the initiative .
“In honor of International Women's Day, I am delighted to announce a collaborative initiative aimed at providing female students in our institution with access to sanitary products. We cannot ignore the fact that some of our students struggle to acquire menstrual hygiene products, which can have an adverse effect on their health, academic success and overall well-being, and undermine their dignity,” she said.
“To ensure that every student in our community has access to menstrual hygiene products, regardless of their financial status, the Division of Student Development and Support has teamed up with our student leaders and the Department of Institutional Advancement. I encourage everyone in the UWC community to support our female students. Together, we can make a significant impact on their lives.”
Listen to the Gender and Security Officer for the SRC, Inathi Gogela speak about helping students
Listen to the SRC Deputy Secretary-General Marcfalda Nani Mogola speak the importance of accessibility to pads
