Periods Shouldn't Pause
22 million
South African women and girls menstruate
That adds up to between 3 and 8 years each woman menstruates in her lifetime.
>7 million
of whom cannot afford sanitary products (35%)
Instead, they resort to using UNsanitary substitutes such as
socks, newspapers.
25%
of many girls’ schooling is missed…
…because of up to 4 days of
period-related absenteeism
every month.
∞
The impact of education on
economic growth is limitless.
“Educated citizens earn more, pay higher taxes over a lifetime, and cost less in terms of social entitlements and welfare.”
R130 trillion
Value of the increased global economic activity closing the gender gap would generate.
Gender equality is a key driver of economic growth and resilience
The Problem
Even though gender equality is a key driver of economic growth and resilience, millions of women and girls around the world are stigmatised and excluded simply because they menstruate.
Menstruating with dignity is a struggle for close to 8 million South African females in a country where half the population is living under the poverty line. Referring to the economic and social challenges resulting from the lack of access to affordable menstrual products, proper sanitation facilities, and information about menstrual health, period poverty threatens to derail their progress. Using unhygienic materials or being absent from school or work leads to a cycle of missed opportunities and potential health risks.
It’s a proven fact that when females’ education is increased, their health and wellbeing, income-generation prospects and economic empowerment improve too. But to fulfil their educational potential, girls must be healthy and at school. Sadly, however, over a third of schoolgirls in South Africa miss a week of school every month because they cannot afford sanitary products.
Every day a girl spends out of school because of her period is a day of learning and confidence-building lost.
Over time, these absences compound, leading to higher dropout rates, diminished economic capacity, and unrealised dreams.
Our Solution
Amidst this struggle, Komani – meaning female monarch, queen, or princess – aims to straighten her menstrual crown and restore her dignity.
The first step toward change is education. That’s why Komani addresses the cultural, social, economic, and educational barriers that contribute to poor menstrual health.
We are committed to period positivity! To alleviate period shame, Komani manufactures and distributes reusable sanitary pads. Not only is the product revolutionary, but in tandem, we educate young ladies about menstrual health and hygiene management (MHM).
Komani also recognises that keeping girls in school will improve the broader economic prospects for South Africa. We are passionate about upliftment in communities and already provide employment to 13 staff who work in the production and distribution of Komani washable pads.
Join the Flow of Change
You have the power to transform lives and be a monthly hero by sponsoring Komani period packs* for schoolgirls:
*Each pack consists of a storage bag and four washable pads – equating to three years of menstrual freedom.
Together we can minimise the social, financial, and environmental impact of periods.
- Partner with us to support a girl or school of your choice through your CSR initiative.
- Support a school from our beneficiaries waitlist.
- Raise sponsorship.
- Volunteer your time.
Background
Komani is the social enterprise of The Umtshayelo Foundation (TUF) – a registered non-profit since 2013.
Their holistic approach aims to break the cycle of poverty and transform communities.
Komani 2 Komani Road Trip
Hot off the press:
We are excited to share our audacious goal for 2024! In October this year Komani, with the backing of generous sponsors, will embark on the Komani to Komani (K2K) road trip, delivering 10 000 Komani packs to students in the outlying areas of the Langeberg, Hessequa, and Garden Route districts – culminating in the town of Komani.
Join us as we journey into rural South Africa, dismantling gender barriers and opening doors of possibilities for our schoolgirls.
Periods of Promise: Powering Potential in Every Pad
But that’s not all!
Not only do we already employ 13 local staff, but enterprising young women can start their own businesses selling Komani packs. What’s more, Komani provides product orientation and other skills development training to these budding entrepreneurs.
Komani understands that period-related goods are too expensive for more than a third of South African women. As a result, many resort to unsanitary alternatives such as leaves, newspapers, or old socks. These are ineffective, uncomfortable, and unhygienic. Even cheaper traditional / conventional pads contain traces of dioxin, an extremely toxic by-product of the paper-bleaching process and a carcinogenic chemical, the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals.
With proper care, our washable and long-lasting pads are more hygienic and promise:
- Comfort
- Coverage
- Confidence.
Considering the alarming fact that 12.3 billion tons of menstrual waste is added to oceans and landfills annually, drastically reducing the use of disposable sanitary pads creates a cleaner environment.
Komani’s reusable pads are so much more than just a menstrual product; they symbolise dignity, environmental responsibility, and progress.
They are:
- Cash Free
- Rash Free
- Trash Free
Small Pads, Big Impact
Providing period products to schoolgirls alleviates the stigma of menstruation, safeguards their health, and sustains their schooling.
Cycle of Change
Educating and empowering women go hand-in-hand. Learning about reproductive systems and menstrual health and hygiene management (MHM) sparks the confidence to embrace being women.
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty, One Pad at a Time
Uplifting communities through job creation and entrepreneurial opportunities is just the tip of the iceberg as Komani is the social enterprise for TUF.
Sustainable Solutions for Brighter Futures
Protecting the environment is a huge bonus reusable pads deliver.
