Spur Corporation brings dignity to young girls through Menstrual Health Education.
An estimated 30% of girls in South Africa miss school when menstruating, due to limited access to menstrual hygiene products. The lack of access to menstruation education and menstrual hygiene products is a major socio-economic problem in the country that affects many girls and women causing physical, mental, and emotional challenges.
On 16 February 2023, Spur Corporation launched a five-year partnership with the Imbumba Foundation through the Sidima Sisters programme, part of the Caring4Girls initiative. This partnership supports girls starting from Grade 8, and will continue to assist them until they complete Grade 12 in 2027. Each girl receives four packets of sanitary pads monthly, puberty education booklets, and quarterly menstrual hygiene education.
Since its launch, the initiative has expanded to support girls in six provinces, with plans to extend to all nine provinces by 2027. As we enter the third year of the partnership, we are proud to introduce the Sidima Sisters programme at Lerato uThando Secondary School in Harrismith, Free State, and Vuyolwethu Secondary School in Kimberley, Northern Cape. This expansion will benefit over 300 girls.
Studies reveal that girls can miss between 30 and 50 days of school each year due to period poverty. Through this collaboration, we aim to provide continuous support to these girls from 2023 to 2027. Our goal is to help these girls remain in school with dignity as they work towards a brighter future.