By Mette Kirsten, Breadline Africa
Period poverty remains a harsh reality for millions of girls around the world, with South Africa being no exception. On International Women’s Day 2025, it’s crucial that we draw attention to this issue, as it continues to impact the lives of young girls across the country.
More than a third of girls in South Africa miss a week of school every month due to a lack of access to basic menstrual products and hygiene facilities. This shocking statistic highlights the significant barriers that girls face when it comes to menstruation. Inadequate sanitation facilities and the absence of essential products mean that many are forced to stay at home, missing out on up to 20% of their academic year.
Why does period poverty matter?
The absence of basic sanitation facilities in schools is a driving force behind period poverty. Over 1,700 schools in South Africa still have unacceptable pit toilets, leaving students, especially girls, with no privacy or safe sanitation, particularly during menstruation. In some cases, schools have no toilets or handwashing facilities at all, forcing girls to manage their menstruation in unsafe and undignified conditions.
In addition to the lack of sanitation, the lack of running water, soap and sanitary pads makes it difficult for girls to manage their menstrual health effectively. Without proper access to sanitary products, girls often resort to using unsafe alternatives, which expose them to infections and unhealthy bacteria. This creates a cycle of discomfort, shame and academic disadvantage, ultimately hindering their future opportunities.
The call for change
In South Africa, 7 million girls miss school every month due to period poverty, and this affects their educational progress.
Breadline Africa, in partnership with the MENstruation Foundation, is working to address these issues head-on. Our mission is to ensure that no girl is forced to choose between her education and her dignity. By breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation, we aim to create a world where all girls have access to basic menstrual hygiene products and facilities at school.
What can we do?
As we observe International Women’s Day, it’s important to reflect on the power we have to make a difference. Breadline Africa’s mission is to install 4,000 functioning toilets across schools in South Africa, eradicating pit toilets and providing girls with the dignity they deserve. Marion Wagner, CEO of Breadline Africa, explains, “No girl should have to compromise her education because of her period. Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
The road ahead
Siv Ngesi, founder of the MENstruation Foundation, sums it up powerfully: “If men bled once a month, sanitary products would be free. This is a failure of justice. Girls should not have to miss out on their education or suffer in silence due to period poverty.”
Together, we can make a significant impact on breaking the cycle of poverty, reducing stigma, and creating a better future for girls in South Africa.
How you can help
By supporting initiatives like these, you are not only helping to provide basic hygiene facilities but also enabling girls to stay in school and pursue their education. To learn more about how you can contribute, visit Breadline Africa’s Toilet Crisis and Menstruation Foundation
Sources:
- Amnesty International: GET RID OF THE STINK! GOVERNMENT MUST ERADICATE PIT TOILETS IN OUR SCHOOLS BY END 2024! – Amnesty International : Amnesty International
- Wikipedia:Gender inequality in South Africa – Wikipedia
