Project Dignity yielding positive results, encouraging school attendance

In the first two terms of 2019, three schools in KwaZulu-Natal – which had previously received Subz packs - were visited and questionnaires handed out to young women. The schools visited included Sidelile High School in South Coast, Ubuhle Bemfundo High School in KwaDabeka Pinetown and Woodlands Primary School in Pietermaritzburg.

Ipsos data results on Subz use

The data from the surveys included responses from 89 schoolgirls who received Subz Pants and Pads packs and were using them for their menstrual management. The schools targeted were both in semi-urban and rural areas. Some of the most notable results from the questionnaires were:

• 57% said they are using Subz exclusively to manage menstruation.
  
• 68% said the Subz packs made it easier to attend school during menstruation.
  
• 75% said the Subz packs made them feel more confident about managing menstruation.
  
• 74% said the Subz packs were easy to clean and dried easily
  
• 75% said the Subz packs were comfortable to wear.
  
• 76% said the Subz pad attaches easily to the panty.

Through individual and corporate sponsorship, Project Dignity has distributed thousands of packs of Subz Pants and Pads to schoolgirls, aged 10 to 19 years, across South Africa and beyond the border. Alongside the distribution, school activations educate these young women about sexual and reproductive health, personal hygiene and caring for the product.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of all the sponsors that have enabled us to disseminate the product which aims to address high dropout rates at schools,” said Subz and Project Dignity founder Sue Barnes. “This year alone we are proud to have reached 7,939 girls in the KwaZulu–Natal, Western Cape, Gauteng and Eastern Cape Provinces in 60 schools. We are now excited to undertake research into the impact these donations are actually having on the recipients. The data gathered from the schools will help us navigate the project going forwards.”

The Ipsos Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of global market research and consulting giant Ipsos Global SA. Employees have the opportunity to apply for funding towards organisations that they feel support the aims of the foundation. Project Dignity was selected in this way in 2018, based on its approach of education and female empowerment. The Project Dignity research on school-goer performance was conducted at schools that received the sponsorship from The Ipsos Foundation.