MOSSEL BAY NEWS - In an effort to combat period poverty and ensure girls have uninterrupted access to education, the St Blaize Leos Club has launched "No Girl Left Behind - The Pad Project".
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA), period poverty can be defined as women and girls lacking access to menstrual products, education, hygiene facilities, waste management or a combination of these.
Spearheaded by newly-appointed district vice-president for District 410-W Leos, Mia Vorster, the initiative aims to install pad dispensers in public toilets, beginning with under-resourced schools.
The District 410-W Leos represents 58 Lions Clubs and four Leo Clubs in the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Garden Route and Namibia.
"Our mission is simple: no girl should have to miss school or forego opportunities because she lacks access to basic menstrual hygiene. Through this project, we want to ensure dignity and opportunity for all young women," said Vorster.
The St Blaize Leos Club is seeking collaboration with Mossel Bay Municipality to amplify the reach and impact of the project. Additionally, further discussions are planned to explore how the municipality can actively support this vital cause.
Besides The Pad Project, Vorster and the Leos Club, alongside the Lions Club, are working towards using their clubhouse for community and club activities.
Mossel Bay Municipality's director of Community Services Elize Nel, portfolio chairman for Community Services, Alderman Niklaas Booisen, and Mossel Bay mayor Dirk Kotzé, attended a meeting with the St Blaize Lions and St Blaize Leos to discuss how best to work together to promote this initiative.
The meeting took place on Thursday, 10 April.
Community members and organisations interested in supporting the initiative can reach out to Vorster (062 417 6796).
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