By Phiwa Sikhondze
The Eswatini National Petroleum Company (ENPC) has today donated 390 sanitary pads to 130 young girls of kaMkhweli Chiefdom under Siphofaneni Inkhundla, as part of its Corporate Social Investment programme.
The donation is in response to the growing demand for reliable and high-quality menstruation products so that schoolgirls can attend and participate actively in their studies with confidence.
According to ENPC CEO, Nhlanhla Dlamini, the donation is aimed at supporting young girls to go through their menstrual cycles with dignity and to safeguard their health.
He said that this was in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals number 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and number (Quality Education). He also added that studies have shown that in Africa, girls who lack access to sanitary pads often miss classes, which affects their academic performance and prospects.
“At ENPC we are committed to lending a hand to make a difference in the lives of all EmaSwati, whether they are direct users of our products and services or not. We have observed that there is a great need for our young girls to be supported to access sanitary pads so that they can be able to go through their menstrual cycles with dignity and also to safeguard their health,” Dlamini said.
The CEO also noted that sanitary pads are a basic necessity for the girl child and, hence should not be taken for granted. He stressed that the lack of such a necessity may bear negative results on the girls’ health and general well-being.
“It has become obvious that access to sanitary pads for women is as much a social justice issue as it is a health issue. There are so many poor outcomes for women and adolescent girls who are unable to have access to sanitary pads and other hygienic menstrual practices. These poor outcomes range from psychological, to social, as well as the health of adolescent girls,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries of the donation, Zodwa Khumalo, expressed her gratitude to ENPC for the donation, narrating some of the hardships some girls go through because they cannot afford sanitary pads. She said that these pads would help restore the dignity and confidence of those young girls whose parents cannot afford to buy them sanitary pads.
On behalf of the parents, Elina Tfwala, the kaMkhweli Indvuna yeLutsango thanked ENPC for the gesture. She said that this donation will save a lot of girls as there is a desperate need for sanitary pads for some girls as they can hardly afford them. She mentioned that due to financial constraints, some parents hardly afford sanitary pads for their young girls, therefore, this donation will go a long way toward helping those girls.