Cape Town - Riding on the success of the campaign that brought in more than 1.6 million sanitary pads last year, key role players are aiming to amass over two million sanitary towels until the end of next month.
In conjunction with Caring4Girls, #MillionComforts aims to assist in keeping 2 million girls in school by 2020, with no interruptions to her education during her monthly menstrual cycle.
The 2016 project is calling on the customers of Dis-Chem pharmacies and readers of Independent Media publications to assist in reaching the target.
It is estimated that girls between the ages of 12 and 18 in disadvantaged areas can miss a fifth of their schooling during menstruation when they stay at home because they do not have access to feminine hygiene products or are unable to buy their own.
“We are delighted to once again be in partnership with Independent Media and Caring4Girls, this initiative is critical to ensure young girls stay in school.
“This in turn will assist them with their potential, self-value and opportunities to thrive while ensuring sustainable feminine hygiene,” said Lynette Saltzman, founder of the Dis-Chem Foundation .
Dis-Chem Pharmacies have installed branded drop-bins in all 100 stores countrywide for customers to donate sanitary towels during the six-week campaign.
Three major suppliers, Always, Lil-lets and Stayfree have committed to matching their own products to help reach the 2 million target. The Local Pharmacy group will also have bins in their 50 stores countrywide. Shoppers can donate one bag of sanitary pads for R9.95 at stores.
Independent Media titles will be running the campaign across the country.
As a media group, Independent Media is dedicated to the continuing education of school children and the supply of essential female health products has been proven to have a major impact in ensuring the continuation of a child's studies.
“Last year our readers put their full weight behind the project and helped the project exceed its target.
“We believe this project will help many young women realise their full potential with the knowledge that they can now attend school regularly. We are confident that our readers will once again show their support for the project”, said Lutfia Vayej, Independent Media’s group executive of marketing and communication.
The drive is part of the Imbumba Vision 2020 which hopes to encourage the next generation of young leaders to inspire their communities and peers into greater efforts to improve opportunity in rural areas.
Richard Mabaso, head of the Imbumba Foundation said the main objective of the programme was to educate and assist.
“We provide puberty and menstrual hygiene training to underprivileged girls, support them with sanitary towels for a minimum period of one year and give each girl a menstrual hygiene booklet,” he said.
Follow the collection progress on Dis-Chem’s social media sites and find more information in-store or in their Healthy Living catalogue which will be published in the next few weeks. You can also follow the distribution of the products to all parts of the country on their Facebook page and keep up with the progress barometer.
Cape Argus