MOLOGADI KEKANA
DELMAS – The Economic Freedom Fighters Nkangala Region Gender Violence Desk has embarked on a drive to donate dignity packs to female learners in various schools in the region.
The much needed dignity packs consisting of sanitary towels and a roll-on, are donated to Grade 7 female learners in rural schools and less privileged backgrounds. On 12 March the GBV Desk made a visit to the Victor Khanye Subregion at Mdumiseni Primary School to donate 80 Dignity Packs. The regional EFF GBV Desk Coordinator Dimakatso Phaahlamoraswi, EFF Victor Khanye Cllr Ellen Johnson, Cllr Lizzy Somnazi from ward 6, Doris Mbonani from ward 3 lead the handover with other honourable members of the EFF.
The mandate of the GBV desk under the #RestoreTheDignityOfAGirlChild aims to reduce missing school or the drop-out of female learners in schools due to lack of sanitary towels during their menstruation periods. “The reason we are here is to educate them about GBV from helping them identity signs such as being inappropriately touched by people who do not have the right or permission to do so. We want to further encourage them to report such cases to the school principal so that we may help them tackle them. As there is no GBV subject in schools we are willing to educate them on this subject”, said Phaahlamoraswi. In the company of the School Governing Body, Mdumiseni Primary School Principal Mrs Khumalo expressed gratitude to the efforts of the EFF GBV Desk.
The Dignity Pack has been taken to Ilanga Secondary School at Tasbert Park and Hlangu Phala primary School at Phola on 10 March.
According to a study by Douglas George Murray Trust: Background Document and Review of key South African and International literature on school dropout, conducted in 2017, “For poor families, female learners may be forced to be habitually absent or even drop out due to lack of access to sanitary pads during their menstrual cycles and which is a common problem throughout Africa
The GBV desk plans to continue with the drive throughout the year and is calling on businesses and sponsor to help with donations to keep a girl child in school. The Victor Khanye subregion Lizzy Somnazi can be contacted on the mobile number: 073 916 9291.
8 March is International Women’s Day dedicated to the Cultural, political and socioeconomic achievements of women. The month of March is further dedicated to the rights of women in the global society.
