By Lindi Dlamini, Executive Director at Roedean (SA)

Every month, more than two billion girls and women around the world menstruate. It’s a natural part of life.

But in many communities – including here in South Africa – it can also be a reason for missing school. Without access to menstrual products or clean toilets, girls often stay home, fall behind in their work or even drop out altogether.

This phenomenon is known as period poverty and impacts a significant number of girls globally – millions of whom miss part or all the school day due to menstruation. To Roedean, this matters as it affects the health and dignity of girls, as well as their ability to get an education.

Roedean School (SA), an independent all-girls’ school in Johannesburg, is working to change that. Since 2022, Roedean has actively raised funds to provide menstrual products to girls who cannot afford them and campaigned to increase awareness and advocacy within the community.

Now in its fourth year, the initiative is bringing together students, teachers, parents and alumni to ensure a full year’s supply of sanitary pads for girls at Phedišang in Limpopo. 

In 2024, 116 girls were supported for a full year and Roedean School hopes to expand the impact of the programme this year.

Roedean works in partnership with Blossom Care Solutions, a local social enterprise that manufactures, markets, sells and distributes sanitary pads in township and rural markets across South Africa. The partnership ensures that the support is sustainable and community-driven, not just a short-term intervention.

Beyond the menstrual product fundraising drive, Roedean encourages active learning and participation. From 8 to 15 August 2025, a group of Grade 11 students will travel to Phedišang, to facilitate workshops on women’s health and reproductive issues. The visit coincides with Women’s Month and will culminate in the distribution of sanitary products. It’s also an opportunity to understand the real impact of period poverty – and to think about how to help solve it.

The upcoming trip is part of the school’s commitment to developing socially aware and involved young future leaders. By stepping outside their own daily experience, students learn how to listen and contribute in meaningful ways. It’s a learning experience rooted in the values of empathy and responsibility.

Period poverty is also exacerbated by stigma and silence. Many girls are ashamed to talk about their periods. Some don’t understand what’s happening when they first start menstruating. Without access to proper information, they rely on myths or face discrimination. In some communities, girls are excluded from school or religious activities during their cycles. In others, they’re expected to manage their cycles in private, with no support at all.

A lack of proper ablution facilities makes things worse. In parts of rural South Africa, schools don’t have enough private toilets – or students still have to use pit toilets.

Although the Ministry of Basic Education’s Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative has made progress – successfully eradicating over 93% of identified pit toilets in public schools – many girls still don’t feel safe or clean at school when menstruating. As a result, they often stay home, which leads to gaps in learning and lower academic performance over time.

Roedean School’s fight to eradicate period poverty doesn’t try to solve every aspect of the problem. But it takes clear steps, removing one barrier by helping to provide menstrual products. By talking openly about periods, it also helps break down stigma. By involving students directly, it turns awareness into action.

The school has always combined academic, cultural and sporting excellence with social responsibility. 

Our efforts reflect a culture where giving back is part of daily school life – and where learners are encouraged to think about the kind of world they want to help build.

The campaign also calls on the wider public to support the cause. Donations are welcome and encouraged.

The aim is not just to provide sanitary products for one year. It’s to build a network of support that keeps growing. And to inspire other schools to follow suit.

Period poverty is not just a problem “over there”. It affects girls in every province in South Africa – and in schools of every kind. No learner should be excluded from education because they menstruate.

By showing what practical support looks like, Roedean is helping to shift the narrative. It’s not just about one school helping another – it’s about recognising that dignity and education go hand in hand.

More than anything, it’s about reminding us that small, sustained actions – led by young people – can make a real difference.

To find out more or to donate, visit: https://bit.ly/46mpIYu 

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