SANITARY DIGNITY PROGRAMME BRINGS HOPE TO EASTERN CAPE LEARNERS

By Precious Mupenzi

• South Africa’s Sanitary Dignity Programme aims to empower young girls, making sure they stay in school with confidence and dignity.
• The Department of Social Development is conducting oversight visits to quintile 1, 2 and 3 schools to ensure the programme is implemented effectively.
• Learners at the Richard Msuthu Primary School in Lingelihle, Adelaide, in the Eastern Cape spoke of their positive experiences thanks to the programme.

A sense of gratitude and relief filled the Richard Msuthu Primary School in the Lingelihle township, Adelaide, as learners and teachers welcomed the Department of Social Development during a two-day oversight visit.

The department’s visit to the Amathole district in the Eastern Cape was part of its monitoring efforts to ensure the effective implementation of the Sanitary Dignity Programme in quintile 1, 2, and 3 schools.

This programme, run by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, aims to provide free sanitary products to learners from disadvantaged backgrounds., It is jointly managed by the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Social Development.

While the Department of Basic Education oversees implementation in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Free State, North West, and Northern Cape, the Department of Social Development is responsible for the Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, and Gauteng.

The department also participates in the National Sanitary Dignity Task Team, which convenes quarterly to review progress and challenges.

During the visit, the Department of Social Development engaged with suppliers, learners, teachers, principals, and parents to assess the programme’s impact. Richard Msuthu Primary, which has 306 learners – including 136 girls – was one of the schools assessed.

A community initiative

“We are thankful to the department and government,” said Principal Mninawe Hans, expressing his gratitude.

“This initiative is not just for young girls but for the entire community. This programme will also benefit the community, as most parents struggle to make ends meet in the areas surrounding the school, where most children come from.”

For the learners, access to sanitary products means dignity and uninterrupted schooling.

Thirteen-year-old Phaphama Sigcau*, a Grade 7 learner, shared her positive experience: “I started my period at 11, but I was already aware of what to expect because our teachers prepared us during life orientation sessions. The school provides sanitary towels, so I have never struggled, thanks to our learner support agent.”

Another learner, 12-year-old Amile Adonis*, recalled how her grandmother helped her understand menstruation when she first experienced it at 10: “My mother doesn’t live with us, so it was my grandmother who taught me how to use a sanitary pad and what it means.”

For 12-year-old Kamva Siguqa*, who has not yet started menstruating, the programme ensures she is prepared: “The first person I will tell is ‘umakhulu wam’ (my grandmother). I already know how to use a sanitary towel because our teachers educate us about hygiene and puberty. Having access to sanitary products will ease the financial burden on my grandmother, who is unemployed and relies on my child support grant to provide for our household.”

Challenges in implementation

A key issue is the absence of functional Provincial Sanitary Dignity Committees in some provinces, which affects coordination, accountability, and monitoring.

In addition, rural schools face inadequate WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) infrastructure, making the disposal of sanitary products difficult.

Infrastructure-related departments such as Health, Public Works, and Environmental Affairs play a crucial role but struggle with coordination.

Furthermore, targeting remains a challenge, especially for learners with disabilities and younger primary school learners.

While the programme currently benefits over 2.7 million learners, stakeholders emphasised the need for improvements in the upcoming quarter.

Challenges faced by service providers

Despite the programme’s success, service providers raised several challenges during discussions with the department, particularly female distributors, who acknowledged the programme’s positive impact on job creation while highlighting significant operational challenges.

One distributor, who has been involved in the initiative for three years, shared her experience: “This opportunity has allowed me to gain skills and knowledge as a young entrepreneur. We employ drivers, assistant drivers, and admin staff, benefiting our communities.”

However, she also pointed out difficulties that hinder effective delivery.

“Hijackings, severe weather conditions, and logistical disruptions often delay deliveries, making it difficult to meet deadlines. This, in turn, affects school schedules and access to much-needed sanitary products.”

The Department of Social Development’s oversight visits are crucial in ensuring the programme runs smoothly and addressing emerging challenges. As the department reports to Parliament on the programme’s implementation, such first-hand engagements provide valuable insights for continuous improvement.

With enhanced coordination, improved infrastructure, and targeted support, the Sanitary Dignity Programme can continue to empower young girls, ensuring they stay in school with confidence and dignity.

*not their real names.