Menstrual health is not just a healthcare issue — it’s a matter of dignity, education, and inclusion. Yet for millions of South Africans, managing periods remains a monthly struggle that impacts access to school, work, and daily life. A new report has placed the cost of this ongoing crisis at an estimated R700 million annually — and it’s the country’s most vulnerable, including women and girls with disabilities, who are hardest hit.
Lack of access to sanitary products, safe facilities, and adequate education around menstruation continues to entrench inequality. Many learners miss school every month simply because they cannot manage their periods with dignity. For women with disabilities, the situation is even more complex. Navigating inaccessible restrooms, facing stigma, or being excluded from hygiene programmes all contribute to a loss of agency and participation.
Advocates are calling for menstrual health to be recognised as a fundamental right and for inclusive solutions that address the needs of all menstruating individuals — regardless of their physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental health conditions. This includes accessible health education, disability-inclusive product distribution, and facilities designed for all bodies.
As the conversation around disability inclusion in South Africa grows, menstrual health must form part of the agenda. It’s time to remove the barriers — both physical and financial — that prevent people with disabilities from managing their periods safely, confidently, and with dignity.
#MenstrualHealthMatters #DisabilityInclusion #PeriodPoverty #AccessibleHealth #DignityForAll #DisabilityConnect
