Livity Africa works off digital platforms to raise awareness about pertinent issues that are being overlooked by mainstream media outlets. Its focus is to raise awareness about the plight of girls who are missing school because they do not have access to sanitary wear. At Princess Langazana, it is evident that girls in rural areas such as these, do not have sufficient funds and also struggle with accessibility to shops.

Livity Africa filmed the activation and invited Joanna Manana, the IFP representative from the Ulundi Municipality, to attend. Livity Africa is also set to join the KZN MEC of education, Mthandeni Dlungwane when he hands out sanitary pads to girls in Lamontville. 

The young women at Princess Langazana were very receptive to the talk on puberty and menstruation and asked lots of questions. Mooi Mthethwa spoke to the girls about keeping their dignity and focusing on their future by taking care of their bodies.

The IFP’s Joanna Manana spoke to the girls and praised the project. She said she looked forward to attending many more of these mornings where the girls are uplifted by being given the opportunity to continue with their schooling uninterrupted.

Teboho Makhetha from Livity Africa's #ProjectDemo also spoke to the girls about how Livity Africa aims to help communities by raising awareness of issues that need to be heard.  He spoke about how access to sanitary wear for the girls is a concerning issue because of the impact it has on the successful completion of school.
 
The non-profit extension of Subz Pants and Pads, Project Dignity, seeks to vastly improve the lives of school-going girls by donating sponsored packs of reusable, eco-friendly sanitary pads and accompanying panties. The organisation was established after the founder, Sue Barnes, learned about the negative educational impact a lack of sanitary products is having on thousands of school children.

Project Dignity has done numerous activations in both KwaZulu-Natal and across the country whereby donations are made and talks given on a number of issues affecting young women, particularly in rural areas. Along the way, organisations with similar motivations have lent support, participating in the activations.

Developed, designed and manufactured by Barnes, the Subz pads are made of five layers of hydrophilic fabric making them extremely absorbent to prevent leakage. Together with the 100% cotton panties, they are patented and have a SABS absorbency approval.

Being able to provide these for girls means a lot to Barnes because, for many girls in South Africa, their menstruation cycle forces them to miss school for a week every month, which becomes a massive setback in their school careers. “For some of them, their education is interrupted for 25 percent of the school year,” says Barnes. “Any spare money the family has is spent on food rather than sanitary products.”

For more information, visit www.subzpads.co.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook using the #ProjectDemo hashtag.