A Stellenbosch-based charity organisation is aiming to provide 250 women in Cape Town with enough reusable sanitary products for 48 menstrual cycles.
The 60 Cycles Project, which announced their new goal on 11 May, supports women living in rural areas across Africa, with basic sanitary necessities.
“We are aiming to relieve women and girls from the extra stress of not being able to afford sanitary goods,” said Liza Hugo, the project co-founder and second year BSc student at Stellenbosch University (SU).
Due to the nationwide lockdown, other necessities, such as food and rent, take priority, said Hugo. This leaves women with little to no access to sanitary products, she said.
The organisation donates sanitary products produced by Subz Pants and Pads, which produces eco-friendly, reusable and washable sanitary pads.
An illustration of the pads that will be distributed. As seen in the infographic, the wings of the pad wrap around the outside of the panty gusset and attaches to itself. Infographic: Supplied/Michele Meyer/Subz Pads
“Instead of giving an entire kit consisting of both panties and pads that should last five years, we are now giving four pads to one lady, which should last more or less four years,” Hugo said.
According to Hugo, this has also minimised the need for donations from R300 to only R100, to supply one woman with enough reusable pads for four years.
“We are thankful for organisations such as 60 Cycles, because in this time of Covid-19 we are still able to manufacture, however we have no way of distributing these products in schools and communities,” said Sue Barnes, founder of Subz Pants and Pads.
Co-founder of the 60 Cycles Project, Liza Hugo distributing the Subz Pads kits in Monkey Bay, Malawi. PHOTO: Le Roux van der Merwe/60 Cycles Project
According to Hugo, the organisation is in the process of finalising its partnership with Hillsong Africa Foundation to distribute their sanitary products to communities in Cape Town.
The 60 Cycles Project will continue to raise funds for the sanitary products, until their goal has been reached.
The organisation visited Malawi to provide 683 women with sanitary kits, consisting of panties and pads, in January.
“The Malawian girls are so thankful for the sanitary goods they’ve received. They no longer have to miss school or redo grades multiple times due to their lack [of] sanitary products. It will assist them in their education,” said Gibson Banda, who partnered with 60 Cycles in distributing their sanitary products in Malawi.
Co-founders of the 60 Cycles Project, Liza Hugo and Joanne Conradie, distributing the Subz Pads kits in Monkey Bay, Malawi. PHOTO: Le Roux van der Merwe/60 Cycles Project
Read more from Lezanne Steenkamp