*Our victory on the provision of free sanitary towels as South African women as the world celebrates International women’s day*
When the YCLSA embarked on a vigorous campaign for the provision of free sanitary towels, it was deemed an illusion and an unrealistic ambition. The ideological connotation behind the campaign was informed by the impact that sanitary towels have in a woman’s life. Some simplistically dismiss this as a private hygienic need which has no bearing in the life of a woman, however contrary to popular stereotypes sanitary towels have serious socio-economic consequences for many women; especially those who can’t afford the luxury of purchasing them consistently. The business of sanitary towels is immensely profitable and continues to disadvantage women economically. Corporations which produce this basic necessity are certain of a market despite recessions or economic meltdowns; this is one major business which will continue to flourish at the expense of millions of poor women who have no alternative. Unfortunately sanitary towels remain a luxury for millions of women in South Africa. Due to the high levels of poverty and commodification of this basic product, most women resort to unhygienic practises just to survive the cycle. I was utterly disturbed by a comment made by a woman called Glenda Muzenda( the 2010 Human Rights Advocate at Columbia University) in the USA ,in a publication called NGO Pulse, issue 255 on sanitary towels. She was responding to the State of the Nation’s address which was tabled by the President of the Republic, affirming governments’ full commitment to the provision of free sanitary towels. She boldly argues that instead of worrying about providing sanitary towels, government should focus on the continued raping of women and children, killing of lesbians and decriminalising same-sex coupling, decriminalising of sex work and HIV/AIDS, which affect women in many ways. She further says quoted *“It makes me sick to realise that the only thing that the President [Jacob Zuma] has thought of to empower women so far is to stop the bleeding on the seats of buses and home affairs office benches by providing sanitary pads,” *she explains. This unfortunately illustrates the high level of ignorance (even offshore) on the matter of sanitary towels and how far the government has come in addressing inequalities and gender-based violence. A Ministry has been created specifically to deal with women issues; the onus rests upon us women to effectively utilise channels opened for us, political, economically and otherwise. She has no inclination of what it means to decide on how to use the last R10 in a household on whether to buy bread or sanitary towels; an option many are faced with in poor households in our society. The government has never undermined the struggle for women and continues to create conducive platforms for women to raise issues without fear or prejudice. However women should equally be at the forefront of their own struggles in pursuit of their complete emancipation from the shackles of gender based discrimination. The affirmation of this programme by the President and Commitment by the Minister of Health is a watershed moment for millions of women in South Africa. Sanitary towels are a basic need for women and they should be an urgent health issue for government. It’s important that we equally understand the diverse impact that sanitary towels have over and above hygienic and health matters. Sanitary towels have an impact on 4 millennium development goals for example: - *The economy* (Sanitary towels are a commodity that continues to increase in price and are a luxury for millions of young women in rural areas and disadvantaged communities) - *Education* (In most instances young girls have to miss certain days of schooling because they can’t make provisions for menstrual days) - *Health *(as a result of the inability to access sanitary towels , some women resort to unhygienic practices which end up as health hazards for them, increasing the risk of cervical cancer ) - *Environment* (hygiene and health in its entirety have a direct impact on the environment) As we celebrate International women’s day, let’s be mindful of our victories despite how insignificant they might be to some in many other parts of the world. The road to women emancipation in its total sense is a long and brutal one with patriarchy and ignorance as being the major barriers. The impact of free sanitary towels cant be measured at this stage as the roll out has not been implemented, however one has no doubt that lives of many will change for the better with the provision of sanitary towels by government. Women are still the most prejudiced on health issues. Condoms distributed vastly are male condoms, whereas female condoms are still seen as a taboo in our communities. Equality should not only be a commitment through legislative assertion but it should be a day to day practise in all of society particularly where women are most marginalised and that still remains the working class and the poor. MALIBONGWE!! *Gugu Ndima* *National Spokesperson* *Young Communist League of SA* -- Gugu Ndima +27 76 783 1516 -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] .
