Some menstrual health rights activists in South Africa are putting pressure on the government to formalise its response to menstrual health challenges in the country.

Development Diaries reports that women and girls across the country struggle to access menstrual products.

Led by Team Free Sanitary Pads (TFSP), the over 30 organisations, it is understood, have signed a petition to the South African government to create a Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Bill.

Girls and women in South Africa who experience period poverty are unable to work or attend school. This affects their general hygiene and fosters stigma around menstruation.

The activists believe that creating a bill will establish a structure in terms of getting the public sector to invest in menstrual health and hygiene management.

They are demanding changes be made on several fronts, including the workplace, to reinforce menstrual rights.

‘One of the key factors that we feel is very important for a Menstrual Health Rights Bill… is that we establish structure in terms of getting buy-in from the public sector to invest in menstrual health and hygiene management’, TFSP founder, Nokuzola Ndwandwe, said.

The country formulated the Sanitary Dignity Policy Framework in 2019 to enable women to promote sanitary dignity and provide norms and standards for the provision of sanitary products to indigent persons.

However, the framework leaves a lot to be desired.

Development Diaries joins TFSP and its partners in calling for the creation of a Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Bill to push for investment in menstrual health and improved hygiene management.

Photo source: Daily Maverick