RADA NPO launches reusable sanitary pads to help less privileged girls
The RADA MiPad project has been helping women and girls from
poor families who cannot afford sanitary towels.
According to the Global Citizen website, 3.7-million girls in South Africa are unable to afford sanitary pads. More research by the University of Stellenbosch reveals that 30% of learners in South Africa are missing school while on their periods.
RADA, a non-profit organisation, has started an initiative called RADA MiPad. The project is aimed at empowering girls who often stay at home when they are menstruating because they do not have access to, or in many cases, the means to buy sanitary wear.
READ: A solution to South Africa's sanitary towel problem
The organisation launched reusable sanitary pads that can be used for up to five years.
Together with a lodge called Tiger Canyon, Miss South Africa 2019 Sasha Lee Olivier, and musician Lily Hollows, the organisation gave three underprivileged schools in Philippolis, Free State the reusable pads to distribute to affected girls.
“We are excited to be working with RADA in Philippolis. We plan to support this project by helping with the distribution of RADA MiPad packs to the girls moving into grade 7 each year”, says Tiger Canyon's Managing Director Rodney Drew, who also provided accommodation for the visitors from Johannesburg.
Christo Valentyn, General Manager: Marketing at KIA Motors South Africa, added: “We are longstanding supporters of RADA and we are proud to be part of this new project. We were happy to provide vehicles for the very long road trip which was an eye-opening experience for us all. It was fantastic to see the impact RADA is having on the lives of so many girls”.
Below is the video of the organisation distributing the sanitary towels in Free State.