By Prudence Mathenjwa
In honour of Women’s Month, members of the South African Student’s Congress (SASCO) organisation distributed sanitary pads to female students at the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) City campus.
The political movement says this is because of their understanding that students have shortages despite many being on government funding through the National Student Fund Aid Scheme (NSFAS). They also say there is a bigger need for those who were defunded by the programme. “We first initiated a donations programme. That is why today we are able to have a “Pad Day Girl” here in City campus,” says SASCO DUT chairperson, Mthobisi Mkhulise.
SASCO is the student body of South Africa’s majority political party, the African National Congress (ANC).
Mkhulise says students that are self-funded also have basic needs that they struggle to take care of. “We started this initiation because we understand that some students cannot afford in this critical time of the month and also considering that it’s women’s month,” he explains.
In an effort to encourage safe sex, DUT distributes condoms to its residents. SASCO says they condemn this. “We demand that the institution prioritises sanitary pads as female students go through this cycle every month wheras engaging in sexual activities is a personal choice,” says DUT SASCO Secretary, Ayabulela Ndinisa.
Female students say they’re appreciative of the SASCO gesture. “I think they did a good thing by giving us sanitary pads since it’s our month, I appreciate them unlike other organisations who only come here to intimidate and scare us,” explains Nomthandazo Dladla.
“It’s quite surprising, as they were coming inside campus I thought they were going to protest or something and we are really grateful for this,” adds Avuyile Dube, another student.
SASCO says they will take their “Pad Day Girl” drive to all DUT campuses.
