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FEMME is anything but fatal. With education and empowerment of girls being their mission, they tackle the root cause of low statistics of educated women in impoverished communities.
We talk to Kim Windvogel, one of the founding members of the initiative.
Tell us more about FEMME.
We are affiliated to Transnet Foundation's Teenage Health Programme. Our organisation is about educating young girls by economically empowering them, closing the gap between the number of educated males and females.
Our main focus is health and sanitation, because, often, that is what keeps young girls away from school, or leads them to drop out.
What problems have you identified concerning sanitation?
Many girls use unsanitary substitutes for pads or tampons such as newspaper, toilet paper, and in extreme cases, bark. Femme says yes to education and no to female learners missing school because they can't afford tampons or pads. That is what inspired us to start the project.
How do you carry your mission in educating and epowering girls?
We travel to different rural communities within the Western Cape to teach female learners about the importance of knowing their bodies and their cycles, so that they are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge that will take them further in life.
We had our first fundraiser about a week ago and it was a huge success. Donations were made and everyone came out for a good cause. The response to our project has been overwhelming. We thank everyone who have been so involved.
What do the dignity packs consist of?
Mainly hygiene products such as toothbrushes, hand sanitizers, soaps, toothpaste and menstruation cups.
Why menstruation cups?
These are made of 100% medical grade silicone, which means that they are not breeding ground for bacteria.
Once properly insterted into the vagina, the cup pops open and forms a light seal around the vaginal walls. Unlike tampons and pads which absorb, it enables you to retain your natural moisture.
It can hold 3 times more than the average tampon or pad. It can also last for at least 5 years if well taken care of. So, you only need one cup each time.
What challenges have you experienced regarding your project?
Many people do not believe the cup is as amazing as we say, but what they fail to realise is that we do not advocate the cup. We advocate education. We believe that no woman should miss school purely because they cannot afford pads or tampons.
Where do you see your project in five years' time?
We hope to achieve the ideal that every female learner will have access to free sanitary products that will improve their quality of life.
For more information, like the FEMME Facebook page and follow them on Twitter.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
We talk to Kim Windvogel, one of the founding members of the initiative.
Tell us more about FEMME.
We are affiliated to Transnet Foundation's Teenage Health Programme. Our organisation is about educating young girls by economically empowering them, closing the gap between the number of educated males and females.
Our main focus is health and sanitation, because, often, that is what keeps young girls away from school, or leads them to drop out.
What problems have you identified concerning sanitation?
Many girls use unsanitary substitutes for pads or tampons such as newspaper, toilet paper, and in extreme cases, bark. Femme says yes to education and no to female learners missing school because they can't afford tampons or pads. That is what inspired us to start the project.
How do you carry your mission in educating and epowering girls?
We travel to different rural communities within the Western Cape to teach female learners about the importance of knowing their bodies and their cycles, so that they are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge that will take them further in life.
We had our first fundraiser about a week ago and it was a huge success. Donations were made and everyone came out for a good cause. The response to our project has been overwhelming. We thank everyone who have been so involved.
What do the dignity packs consist of?
Mainly hygiene products such as toothbrushes, hand sanitizers, soaps, toothpaste and menstruation cups.
Why menstruation cups?
These are made of 100% medical grade silicone, which means that they are not breeding ground for bacteria.
Once properly insterted into the vagina, the cup pops open and forms a light seal around the vaginal walls. Unlike tampons and pads which absorb, it enables you to retain your natural moisture.
It can hold 3 times more than the average tampon or pad. It can also last for at least 5 years if well taken care of. So, you only need one cup each time.
What challenges have you experienced regarding your project?
Many people do not believe the cup is as amazing as we say, but what they fail to realise is that we do not advocate the cup. We advocate education. We believe that no woman should miss school purely because they cannot afford pads or tampons.
Where do you see your project in five years' time?
We hope to achieve the ideal that every female learner will have access to free sanitary products that will improve their quality of life.
For more information, like the FEMME Facebook page and follow them on Twitter.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
