By Tlalane Dlamini
Standard Bank Eswatini has deepened its commitment to youth development and gender equality, announcing a significant sponsorship handover of over E200,000 worth of sanitary towels to the BAWSS Foundation. This powerful partnership aims to combat period poverty, a persistent barrier to girls’ education in the region.
The sponsorship is designed to directly benefit 1,000 under-resourced high school girls. Each recipient will receive what the bank terms a “dignity pack,” which is simple in form but profound in impact.
Dignity is Not Abstract
The “dignity pack” is designed to provide sustained support, containing sanitary pads, soap, deodorant, and other essentials for menstrual hygiene. According to Standard Bank’s Head of People & Culture, Bongiwe Hlophe, this initiative is rooted in the understanding that dignity is not abstract.
“Dignity is a girl staying in class because she has what she needs,” Hlophe stated during the handover ceremony. “It’s her raising her hand without fear that a stain will betray her. It’s staying engaged in sports, science labs, debates, and leadership roles throughout the month.”
The bank highlighted that this intervention addresses a critical issue: studies consistently show a link between menstruation and school absenteeism. While girls have the ability and ambition to succeed, they are still missing valuable classroom time due to a lack of basic products and private, hygienic facilities. Globally, it is estimated that about one in ten school-age girls in Africa is absent from school during their menstruation, translating into “lost lessons, lost confidence, and, too often, lost opportunities.”
“These 1,000 dignity packs help meet immediate needs, but they also carry a message: menstruation should never be a reason to step back from learning or leadership,” Hlophe added.
Anele’mabhele Shabangu’s Vision for Dignity
The BAWSS Foundation will skillfully facilitate the dispensation and distribution of the dignity packs. During the handover, Foundation Founder Anele’mabhele Shabangu shared the inspiring background and mission that drives her organization.
Shabangu explained that her work was fueled by the stark reality of how poverty and a lack of products restrict girls’ ability to manage their periods with dignity, often turning a normal biological process into a monthly source of anxiety and interruption. Shabangu noted that she created BAWSS to ensure girls can stay in school and lead by providing the necessary resources. Her foundational commitment remains clear: to see every woman and girl in Eswatini treated with dignity and respect.
Smart, Evidence-Based Development
Standard Bank views the investment in menstrual health not as charity, but as smart, evidence-based development. The donation aligns with the bank’s core purpose: Eswatini is our home, we drive her growth.
“Driving Eswatini’s growth means investing in young people, especially girls, so they can learn, lead, and participate fully in the economy,” Hlophe explained.
The impact of this focused investment is multifold:
* When absence is reduced, performance improves.
* When performance improves, choices expand.
* When choices expand, the progress of families, communities, and the entire economy accelerates.
The outcomes directly contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
“We have seen first-hand how simple interventions, like supplying menstrual products, remove barriers and restore momentum to a girl’s education journey,” Hlophe concluded. “When girls stay in school, completion rates rise, early marriage and early pregnancy risks fall, and lifetime earnings increase.”
This partnership between Standard Bank and the BAWSS Foundation is a tangible step toward realizing an inclusive, sustainable future for Eswatini, signaling to the girls that the community sees them, respects them, and is committed to investing in their success.