Engen donates R2.5m to a feminine hygiene initiative

Caring4Girls currently reaches 750 000 girls across South Africa by providing them with sanitary pads so that they do not need to miss school during menstruation.

The aim is for the initiative, started by the Imbumba Foundation, to reach 1 million girls in 2019 and 2 million by 2020.

At the official cheque hand over, Engen Managing Director and CEO, Yusa’ Hassan stressed the value of education and how important it is to ensure that all young girls are empowered and have the opportunity to realise their full potential.

“We cannot thrive as a society if some of our female learners are left behind, which is why we are very proud to partner with the Imbumba Foundation and contribute to this very meaningful initiative,” commented Hassan.

The statistics

UNICEF has revealed that girls in poorer areas miss up to 50 days of school per year due to a lack of adequate sanitary protection.

These shocking statistics led the Imbumba Foundation to establish Caring4Girls, which hopes to achieve the following:

• Reach and support underprivileged girls with sanitary towels in South Africa
• Create menstrual hygiene awareness through education and training
• Establish Caring4Girls advocacy groups in schools
• Reduce the high number of school absenteeism and drop-out occurrences caused by menstruation related challenges
• Complimentary educational workshops on pregnancy prevention, HIV and other related diseases

Engen’s role

Engen’s Head of Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement, Unathi Njokweni-Magida said it is important for Engen to actively support and take care of the communities in which it operates.

“At Engen we strongly believe that a country which is educated is a country that will prosper. By supporting these young girls, we will ensure that their confidence and dignity is retained and that they never have to miss school because of their monthly cycle. Education is a key enabler to transform lives, which is why we are so passionate about this initiative.”

Engen’s donation will reach 30 schools and will support 12,500 girls for a year of schooling.

The impact of giving

Richard Mabaso, CEO of the Imbumba Foundation thanked Engen for their generous contribution towards an initiative that has been endorsed by the Nelson Mandela Foundation as one of the best initiatives to “Make every day a Mandela Day”.

“We are extremely excited to partner with Engen and together touch and inspire many young girls’ lives,” said Mabaso.

The Department of Basic Education endorses Caring4Girls. The programme focusses on education and training on puberty and menstrual hygiene management. This includes the safe and environmentally responsible handling, usage and disposal of sanitary towels.