MY CHALLENGE
Petals of
for Girls Every day throughout South Africa young girls are faced with a decision, shame and embarrassment or an education. One would think that in a democratic, post-1994 South Africa that this should not even be a discussion, never mind a choice that young girls make once a month, every month, due to a lack of simple hygiene products for their periods.
F
or many young girls in rural South Africa there is a stigma and shame attached to their menstrual cycle, which means that they feel that they need to hide themselves away once a month, every month. For many others, the burden of extreme poverty means that they cannot afford basic hygiene products, such as pads. For all these girls, getting their period means missing school. Their monthly cycle is limiting their eduction.
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2021 • MY VIRTUAL CHALLENGE MAGAZINE
