"A 2021 report, titled Comprehensive Assessment of Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices on Adolescent Girls in Namibia, reveals that most girls prefer and use disposable pads, but one in four girls cannot afford them. The report also says only one in 10 girls used reusable pads and that 4,2% of girls missed school during their periods. The report further revealed that only half of schools had toilet paper, and soap was also in short supply" The Namibian.

The situation is so dire that girls miss school, or work, because they cannot afford sanitary pads painkillers or clean underwear. Some turn to unsafe, makeshift solutions such as newspapers pieces of cloth and tree bark. To the point where girls are having relationships with adult men so that they can have money to buy soap, toothpaste or pads - Hildegard Titus, founder of Power Pad Girls. On top of that, some girls end up using contraceptives which results in the loss of bone density and appetite loss among other things.

Bloomberg in June reported that the average price of a pack of menstrual pads rose by 8,3% this year, and by 9,8% for tampons. The actual prices have risen from N$9 to N$11 for some packs, and others from N$14 to N$16. The above mentioned prices may seem inexpensive but more than 43.3% of the Namibian population lives below the poverty radar. Which is why some girls resort to using 2 pads per month so that they they use the entire pack for at least 3 months. Of which a pad is to be changed 3 to 6 times a day. For an average of 3-7 days which differs for every girl's period cycle. An estimate indicates that a girl needs 130-260 pads a year.

Girls should not have to miss school over menstruation which is natural and should be destigmatised. Girls should not endanger themselves by using harmful products as substitutions for sanitary pads and tampons. Girls should not resort to falling pregnant and using contraceptives. Girls should not have to struggle when it's that time of the month. It is unfortunate that sanitary pads are not free however we can still do our part. Period products should not be a luxury as they are a necessity. It is our duty to help those that cannot afford them. They should not be punished as being female is far from a punishment, it's a beauty in itself.

In order to minimize period poverty in Namibia, I founded the Smile Princess Foundation. In the month of November 2022 we donated pads to 510 girls in Ongwediva, Namibia. However thousands of girls all over Namibia are still affected. The aim should not be to offer them temporary relief but permanent change. So that this generation and the one after won't have to suffer from period poverty. Let us help our girls stay in school! By offering sanitary pads to school girls free of charge they won't have to miss school when they are on their period. They won't feel discomfort that will distract them from their studies.

We hope that the Ministry of Health and Social Services as well as the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child welfare can assist by equipping all schools in Namibia with sanitary pads that are accessible to the Namibian schoolgirl suffering from period poverty.