This year the theme is “Making Menstruation a Normal Fact of Life by 2030” and speaks directly to P&G and Always’ mission to promote awareness and challenge the stigmas around Menstrual Hygiene. Today, 1 in 10 girls in Africa miss school as result of their period and P&G is doing its part to break down the barriers to education caused by period poverty. The official event was held on May 26th, 2023 at Thutolore Secondary School in Gauteng.
Bontle Modiselle, one of South Africa’s top choreographers and lead influencer for the #AlwaysBloodSisterCampaign, is herself, a beneficiary of the P&G Always Keeping Girls in School program having taken part in a dance activation during her high school years.
"It’s an amazing experience for me to have come full circle and to give back to the program as it gave to me all those years ago.” She further adds: “Every girl deserves to go to school without fear of missing classes because of her period. With the #AlwaysBloodSisters campaign, P&G is making sure that girls have access to menstrual hygiene products and the education needed to succeed,” Modiselle.
The Always Keeping Girls in School program aims to empower young girls by transforming the value of a sanitary pad from mere protection to a symbol of a step closer to education and a fulfilling life. Alicia Eggington, Vice President and General Manager for South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, expressed her excitement about the campaign: “Our objective is to encourage individuals to walk alongside South African girls, one sanitary pad at a time. A sanitary pad signifies progress towards education and a brighter future. South Africans can join this initiative by donating sanitary pads to these young girls through our current drive."
P&G has launched the #AlwaysBloodSisters social media movement and urges everyone to participate in the cause to drive awareness and play their part in ending period poverty.
The campaign seeks to foster a sense of sisterhood and motivate people to donate sanitary pads that will be distributed to underprivileged girls in South African high schools.
The P&G event featured several notable guests including government officials, a session with the Always Keeping Girls in School Brand Nurse, and a thrilling dance routine led by the Always brand ambassador, Bontle Modiselle, to the new Always Blood Sisters song.
This programme supports the Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to ensure that all girls have access to quality menstrual hygiene products and education.
The accurate dissemination of information on menstruation and menstrual hygiene is critical in eradicating stigmas and taboos surrounding the topic. Education fosters a healthy attitude towards menstruation, enabling girls and women to manage their periods with confidence and dignity.
P&G’s Always Keeping Girls in School focuses on three key areas: access to menstrual products, menstrual health and hygiene education, and challenging stigma, shame, and self-confidence surrounding menstruation. Always has donated over 50 million pads to more than 1,000,000 girls across Africa, and the brand is determined to do more in the future.
Visit Always P&G's website or follow the #ALWAYSBLOODSISTERS hashtag on social media to learn more about the Always EPP campaign and how you can support the cause. Let us collaborate to end period poverty and ensure that no one is left behind because of menstruation by 2030.
