A non-profit organization, Goalout joined hands with North-West University students on 25 March 2023 to attempt the Guinness World Record through a project called “Pad the Way Project.”
The Pad the Way Project`s aim is to promote female hygiene, take a stand against period poverty and advocate for government to legislate the issuing of free sanitary pads to girls in schools. The project involves forming the longest line of sanitary pads, spanning a distance of 6 km, a total of 60 000 pads. The project of forming the longest line of sanitary towels took place at North-West University`s Great Hall.
This is a first of its kind in South Africa. Other institutions that succeeded in this attempt were Aston University in the United Kingdom in 2020 and the Professional University in India in 2022.Thabang Ramabodu from Goalout and the organizer of the event said they have so far collected more than 100 000 single sanitary pads to attempt the world record, and 400 volunteers, who are students and learners from schools around Mahikeng helped them to achieve this goal.
“After the event, we will donate the sanitary pads to those in need as we want to promote female hygiene and take a stand against period poverty. In addition, Bidvest Steiner has donated sanitary pads dispensers that will be placed in malls around Mahikeng, schools and at the University, for ease to access for girls during an emergency. A petition has also been launched to encourage the government to legislate the issuing of free sanitary pads to girls in schools,” said Thabang.
North-West University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Sonia Swanepoel indicated that period poverty is a global issue which affects menstruators who don`t have access to safe, hygienic period products or who can`t manage their periods with dignity, because of stigma, lack of menstrual education or proper hygiene facilities.
“For many girls in South Africa and across Africa, getting their period means staying home from school, exposure to negative social stigma and the risk of significant health issues all because they don`t have access to safe sanitary products.The good news is that across the continent and around the world, there are a many great activists and advocates working to raise awareness of period poverty and how it affects women and girls in Africa. Events such as these contribute to highlighting the plight of young women,” said Prof Swanepoel.
Another attendee of the day was the Executive Mayor of Mafikeng Local Municipality, Cllr Tshepiso Mphehlo. In his speech, the mayor said that he is very proud of this initiative. “This is a great effort of activism as in some areas of our country and elsewhere inthe world, young girls and women go through hardships to have sanitary towels.You have demonstrated your heroic ability and for that, we are proud as Mahikeng Local Municipality and her people,” he added.
Various schools in and around Mahikeng attended the event and are expected to be among the beneficiaries of the sanitary products. These schools include the International School of South Africa, Letsatsing Science Secondary School, Batswana Commercial Secondary School, Sol Plaatjie Secondary School, Mahikeng Secondary School and Golfview Secondary School.
Other participating stakeholders include the Mahikeng Mall, The Crossing Shopping Centre, Bidvest Steiner South Africa, The Office of the Mahikeng Executive Mayor Cllr Tshepiso Mphehlo and various government departments.
