For too many young girls, menstruation still stands between them and their education. Engen is changing that narrative.

Building on several years of sustained support for female learners, Engen today launched its 2026 Menstrual Care Campaign in South Durban, reaffirming its commitment to dignity, education and gender equality. The campaign officially kicked off at Assegai Primary School and P.R. Pather Secondary School, where learners received reusable sanitary pad packs designed to support them for years to come.

At the heart of the campaign is a simple but powerful idea: when girls are supported, they stay in school, participate fully and reach their potential.

Partnering with Proudly South African brand Palesa Pads, Engen will donate 100 reusable sanitary pad packs per school, each accompanied by a practical cleaning kit to ensure safe, hygienic and sustainable use. Each pack includes a full range of reusable pads suited to different flow needs, along with menstrual health education materials.

“Access to menstrual care is not a luxury – it’s essential,” said Olwethu Mdabula, Engen’s CSI Manager. “We cannot expect girls to thrive academically if they are forced to miss school every month due to period poverty. This campaign is about dignity, confidence and giving young women the freedom to focus on their education.”

South Africa continues to face a stark reality, with millions of girls unable to afford or access sanitary products, resulting in lost school days and, in many cases, learners dropping out altogether. By transitioning from disposable pads to reusable menstrual products, Engen is offering a long-term, sustainable solution that supports both learners and the environment.

The reusable pads, produced by Palesa Pads, can be used for up to five years – effectively covering a learner’s high school journey at a fraction of the cost of disposable alternatives.

“Our pads are hygienic, safe and designed to restore dignity,” said Sherie ‘Palesa’ de Wet, founder of Palesa Pads. “When girls don’t have to worry about how they’ll manage their next period, they show up differently – with confidence, focus and pride.”

Beyond addressing period poverty, the campaign also plays an important role in breaking the stigma around menstruation through education and open conversation. Learners receive menstrual health information alongside their kits, helping normalise discussions around periods and self-care.

The school leadership welcomed the initiative, highlighting its direct impact on learner attendance and wellbeing. “This programme removes a very real barrier to education,” said Principal Neil Blankenberg from Assegai Primary School in Wentworth.

“By supporting our girls in such a practical way, Engen is empowering them to stay in class and believe in their futures,” added Principal Linda Xaba from PR Pather Secondary School in Merebank.

The 2026 Menstrual Care Campaign will roll out to schools across multiple provinces in the coming weeks, touching the lives of 800 learners nationwide.

Through this campaign, Engen continues to advance meaningful social impact aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12).

“Empowering girls is not just the right thing to do – it’s essential for building stronger communities and a more equal society,” Mdabula added. “When we invest in girls, we invest in the future.”

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