A group of University of the Western Cape law students has started a sanitary towel drive for primary school pupils.
They call themselves Street Law and starting in July, the group and two partners have assisted eight schools already.
Heinz Hartzenberg, a final-year law student at UWC, is the chairperson of Street Law and says the special project also forms part of their practicals.
“I’ve actually just completed my final exams and God willing, I will go on to do my master’s in the new year,” he says.
“We are a group that pride ourselves on taking law to those who don’t have access to it and also aim to be practical by dealing with issues on the ground such as sanitary needs.
“So far we have eight schools in Cape Town that have benefited from our drive and a grand goal of 1339 kids were given sanitary towels, and 1339 kids’ right to human dignity was restored and protected.
“It’s 1339 girls with a six-month supply, which adds up to 8034 packs of pads.
“Too many of our learners are staying at home due to their inability to afford sanitary towels.
“This is a direct violation of their right to human dignity and blocks their right to access education.
“Therefore, Street Law is on the ground to enhance and protect these learners’ right to human dignity.”
Heinz partnered with sponsors Jolene Samuels and Mariam Baderoon.
Jolene says: “This drive is personal to me. When I was growing up, we never had money for sanitary pads and I had to do what I had to do to survive my menstruation.
“I didn’t have anyone I could go to for sanitary pads.
“Now that I am older, I don’t want to see other young girls going through that.
“With Covid, it’s even worse now because people barely have money for food, they get stuck between using the money they have to buy bread or buy a packet of pads.
“I was happy to partner with Mariam and Heinz to do this project. The drive is also funded by kind people from the public who believe in our cause.”
Jolene adds: “I absolutely love that I am able to turn my pain into something positive. To our amazing team, Mariam Baderoon, Street Law UWC, led by their chairperson Heinz Hartzenberg, thank you for your patience, your respect and labour.
“To our amazing sponsors, The Nappy Warehouse and the Black Lawyers Association Society, thank you.”
venecia.america@inl.co.za