UNFPA donates sanitary towels soap and masks to the Ministries of Social Development (DSD) and Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD)

Hundreds of boxes containing sanitary towels, soap and masks arrived at the departments of Social Development (DSD) and Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) on 23 October 2020. The donation followed requests to support girls and women to restore their dignity, through the provision of sanitary towels and improve hygiene by providing soap and masks. Funding from the UNFPA Humanitarian Emergency Fund supported the procurement of these goods in support of Menstrual Health and Management programming.

“We are delighted to continue supporting this critical component of the programme. This specific project includes the procurement of menstrual health and hygiene products for women and girls in selected shelters in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal communities as well as procurement of menstrual health and hygiene products for indigent families identified by the departments. The project aims to provide 25 900 girls and women with sanitary pads, 19 260 women and girls with soap and 800 women with masks as part of the Menstrual Health and Management COVID-19 response.

Accepting the products, the Minister of Social Development, Ms. Lindiwe Zulu responded stating… “we hope that the partnership with UNFPA will continue to grow and we will work together to make a difference in the communities that we serve.”

“The department maintains that girls and women should be able to manage their menstrual cycle with dignity, and that periods do not stop during pandemics. We appreciate the donation of sanitary towels, masks and bar soaps from UNFPA,” said Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Deputy Minister, Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize, as she accepted the products.