Thousands of learners who cannot afford to buy sanitary pads were left vulnerable. (File)
With budgets diverted to food parcels, nearly 180,000 Gauteng learners did not receive dignity packs, which include sanitary towels. Health-e spoke to learners who were left vulnerable by the decision.
Thousands of Gauteng learners were left vulnerable when the provincial Department of Social Development (DSD) failed to deliver their dignity packs in recent months.
The Department of Women, Youths and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) launched the Sanitary Dignity Programme in 2019. The programme was meant to implemented for quantile one to three schools. The National Treasury also made funds available so that the programme could run in all nine provinces.