Addressing period poverty

THE challenge of period poverty remains a barrier for many girl learners in South Africa, restricting their access to quality education and undermining their dignity.

- THOBEKA NGEMA

However, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has taken decisive steps to address this pressing issue, committing to a comprehensive approach that spans government and society.

This was in response to a parliamentary question posed to Minister Siviwe Gwarube by the EFF's Naledi Chirwa-Mpungose, which sought to ascertain the Minister's accountability for the basic education sector's approach to period poverty. Specifically, Chirwa-Mpungose asked what interventions the department had spearheaded to address period poverty and what their resulting impact was.

Gwarube said the DBE recognises period poverty as a serious barrier to access, retention and participation in schooling for many girl learners. She has taken responsibility for ensuring that this issue is addressed through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, in line with the national Menstrual Health and Sanitary Dignity Framework coordinated by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD).