RESTORING DIGNITY: SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT MONITORS SANITARY DIGNITY PROGRAMME

By Precious Mupenzi

• Period poverty is a pressing problem for many learners from disadvantaged backgrounds lacking access to sanitary products.
• The Department of Social Development, along with the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and the Department of Basic Education, is conducting oversight visits to schools across the country to evaluate the impact of the Sanitary Dignity Programme.
• The programme aims to make sure indigent girls and women receive the necessary support to manage menstruation with dignity.

For many young girls in South Africa, the arrival of their menstrual cycle is not just a natural occurrence – it can also be a source of stress, embarrassment, and disruption to their education.

Period poverty remains a pressing issue, with many learners from disadvantaged backgrounds lacking access to sanitary products.

In response, the Department of Social Development is undertaking provincial oversight and monitoring visits to assess the implementation of the Sanitary Dignity Programme in Quintile 1, 2, and 3 schools across the country.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, is implemented in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Social Development, ensuring that indigent girls and women receive the necessary support to manage menstruation with dignity.

The programme, funded through an equitable share budget, was formalised in 2019 when the cabinet approved the Sanitary Dignity Implementation Framework.

The first leg of the visits took place at the Byllets Combined School in Great Kei Local Municipality, East London on 17 March 2025.

Byllets Combined School is a Quintile 2 boarding school with 254 learners, 154 of whom are girls.

The school serves a community grappling with high unemployment, poverty, and social challenges such as teenage pregnancy and substance abuse.

Many of the learners come from child-headed households or families affected by parental neglect and gender-based violence.

Teenage pregnancy remains a pressing concern in the area, often disrupting education for young girls and limiting their opportunities.

Against this backdrop, the Sanitary Dignity Programme is not just about providing sanitary products – it is a crucial intervention aimed at keeping young girls in school, preserving their dignity, and empowering them to break the cycle of poverty. 

Tackling period poverty: a global and local challenge

The latest World Health Organisation and United Nations Children’s Fund report on menstrual health and hygiene reveals critical gaps in the availability of sanitary products, with many learners unable to afford them.

In sub-Saharan Africa, only 12% of schools provide menstrual materials for free or for purchase. Stigma surrounding menstruation further isolates young girls, often leading to a lack of open discussion and increased school dropouts.

 Assessing the programme’s impact

Phaphama Silatsha, a learner support agent at the school, emphasised the significance of the programme in transforming learners’ experiences.

“This intervention by the Department of Social Development is truly life-changing. Many of our learners come from difficult backgrounds; some are orphans, others face parental neglect.

“Missing school due to a lack of sanitary products only adds to their struggles. Menstruation should never be a reason for any girl to miss out on an education. Beyond distributing dignity packs, this programme allows social workers to assess and support learners holistically,” she said.

School principal Monde Yeko echoed this sentiment, attributing part of the school’s success to the impact of such initiatives.

“Our school has consistently performed well, with an 84.3% matric pass rate in 2024. We haven’t dropped below 80% in the last three years, and we hope that this programme will further enhance attendance and performance, possibly pushing us beyond 90%,” the principal said.

“Most of our learners come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and by addressing period poverty, we are giving them an equal chance to succeed.”

A government investment in girls’ futures

The Director of Programme & Policy Evaluation at the Department of Social Development, Des Jason, provided insight into the broader vision behind the Sanitary Dignity Programme.

“Our government is making a crucial investment in girl children.

“We all know the struggles of past generations – our mothers and grandmothers had to use rags and towels, which were neither safe nor hygienic.

“This large-scale programme, coordinated by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, with the national Department of Social Development as part of the task team, seeks to eliminate such hardships.”

She highlighted the magnitude of the government’s commitment.

“Some 2.7 million girls in Quintile 1, 2, and 3 schools are beneficiaries of this programme. This demonstrates our dedication to ensuring that no girl child is disadvantaged due to a natural biological process.

“The impact is already visible, particularly in improved Grade 12 results.”

The Sanitary Dignity Programme is more than just the distribution of sanitary products, Jason said. “It is a vital initiative aimed at restoring dignity, promoting equality, and fostering an environment where young girls can thrive without barriers.

“By keeping them in school, government is not only investing in their education but also in the future of the country.”

Beyond providing sanitary products, the programme takes an integrated approach, incorporating education on sexual and reproductive health and menstrual management.

Jason also highlighted the economic empowerment aspect, noting that the initiative enables women, youth, and persons with disabilities to participate in the value chain and benefit from public procurement opportunities.

“The oversight visits are crucial for us,” she added.

“Over the next five years, we will be on the ground, monitoring progress, strengthening partnerships with the private sector, and ensuring that this initiative continues to make a tangible difference in the lives of young girls.”