Did you know there are over 100 million women going through their menstrual cycles right now?
And what is even more shocking, is that leading statistics show that 88% of women can’t afford disposable sanitary products on a monthly basis.
At this moment, there are a substantial amount of girls who are experiencing their menstrual cycle for the very first time. Naturally, they are scared. They don’t know whats happening to them, and in some cases, they even think they’re dying.
`This is because our education system surrounding menstrual health is flawed. In South Africa alone 69% of school girls report vaginal infections due to using rags, paper, socks and other unsanitary items because they simply do not have access to sanitary products, causing 40% of girls drop out of school by age 15.
Disposable sanitary pads and tampons are simply not affordable for majority of women in South Africa and Africa in general.
Because shame and stigma is still attached to the topic of menstruation - it has been very difficult to talk about this problem freely. Non Governmental and civil society groups are doing fantastic work to to promote and advocate for girls and women's rights, especially on the topic of sexual and reproductive health.
In my personal opinion, just as a young girl should not be without food in her stomach (as this is a basic need in order to function efficiently), a young girl in the same way should not be without means to manager her period (as this too is a basic need in order for her to function efficiently in her society, her education and ultimately the economy).
I believe menstrual cups are the most sustainable and effective menstrual management tool to date, and could actually improve the whole period experience. This is of course if a girl/women is properly informed how to use one, insert one, fold one and remove one.
My work is personally dedicated to providing a completely reusable, hypoallergenic and cost effective alternative to traditional sanitary products, by introducing the ElleCup, which provides 12 hours of leak free protection, allowing girls the freedom, and dignity they deserve whilst on their periods.
Because of the incredibly high percentage of reported cases of vaginal infections amongst school girls, Elle Cup put forward an antibacterial disinfectant spray that not only sterilizes the menstrual cup, but is proven to treat and prevent bacterial vaginosis and thrush.
I personally believe that girls and women should all be period positive and have a healthy relationship with their bodies, and for me, this starts at the most basic biological process that makes a girl a woman: Her period.