Publications
Partners
In light of the recent campaigns around the country calling on people to donate sanitary pads to young girls, the #TAKECARE movement has formed the BeautifulSchool initiative for collecting basic body hygiene necessities such as sanitary pads, bath soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotion, combs, roll-on and face cloths for underprivileged high school girls.
By hosting talks and “feel good workshops” at various public schools, the MiBeautifulSchool initiative also aims to raise awareness about sexual health and personal well-being for underprivileged high school girls.
The initiative, which had partnered up with Medipark Pharmacy, was launched at Sir Pierre Van Ryneveld High School, where founder, Mandisa Jiyane, gave a talk educating the girls about the risks that come with engaging sexually at a young age.
She also encouraged them to visit their local clinic or pharmacy for annual health check-ups.
According to Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) statistics, nearly a third of all new HIV infections in South Africa occur in 15-24 year-olds with adolescent girls.
Black women aged 20–34 have an HIV prevalence rate of 31.6% and that is almost a quarter of all new infections that occur amongst younger women aged 15–24.
“Our bodies are the most important thing we have so it’s important we learn more about how they function so we’re able to take better care of our bodies.” Jiyane said.
“We hope that by the end of this event the girls would be left feeling empowered to make the right decisions regarding their sexual health, aspire to visit to their local clinic for annual health check-ups, feel confident in their skin and take care of themselves mentally, physically and psychologically,” she added.
For more information on how to participate in #TAKECARE campaign visit @mibeautifulschool on Instagram. You can also contact Mandisa Jiyane on 074 728 8049 or send an email to jixjiyane@gmail.com
