REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND PERIOD POVERTY STILL HOLDING SA GIRLS BACK

WOMEN’S Month in South Africa is a time to celebrate progress and reflect on the challenges that still lie ahead.

- GERRY CUPIDO

Among these challenges, reproductive health and period poverty stand out as urgent issues affecting countless women and girls across the country.

Through conversations with inspiring women in different fields, it’s clear there’s both progress and significant gaps that need attention.

Barriers to reproductive health care

Tania Joffe, the principal and the CEO of Unu Health, a digital healthcare platform, offers valuable insights highlighting the fact that one of the biggest hurdles women face is accessibility.

Many women outside major cities must travel long distances to reach clinics.

The costs of transportation, time off work, and childcare often make it difficult for them to access contraceptives or reproductive health care consistently.

Even when services are supposed to be free at public clinics, the hidden costs act as barriers.

There is also a stigma attached to asking for contraceptives, which discourages many women from seeking ongoing care or feeling comfortable in health settings.

The disparities between urban and rural women are stark

Women in cities tend to have more options, including well-resourced clinics and a wider range of services. In rural areas, clinics often lack basic resources and are overwhelmed with staff shortages.

The digital divide further widens this gap. Urban women are increasingly using apps and telemedicine services to manage their reproductive health, while rural women may be left behind because of weak connectivity and limited digital literacy.