Sisi has brought much needed awareness around the differences between the anatomy of men and women and the need for gender-specific personal protective equipment in the workforce to improve productivity and comfort for working women. The brand wanted to address issues surrounding absenteeism of young girls from school due to the unaffordability of sanitary hygiene products needed when menstruating.
According to a study by the Stellenbosch University’s Law Clinic, about 30% of girls in South Africa miss school when they are menstruating because they cannot afford sanitary products. As such, a girl could lose about 90 days of schooling a year. Many can’t catch up on vital schoolwork, ruining their end-year results, and their chance to earn grades that would qualify them for tertiary education.
“This is such an exciting project. It’s not just about donating sanitary pads to these girls; it’s about giving them a future. As a rising number of working women enter into areas once deemed the preserve of men, it is important that girls receive a solid education that qualifies them to receive tertiary education in the fields of commerce and sciences,” says Vanessa Ronald, senior brand manager at Sisi.
“What’s even more encouraging is that we have formed a partnership with the Stellenbosch Municipality and the Department of Education to expand our reach on an annual basis and encourage other key players in industry to get involved to make a difference,” says Ronald.
The reusable Subzpads are developed, designed and manufactured by Sue Barnes, founder of Project Dignity, and are made of five layers of specialised fabrics.
“It’s an all-fabric product that uses no chemicals or gels for absorption and is essentially a health product that is also eco-friendly,” adds Ronald.
