For some schoolgirls, a lack of access to sanitary products can mean missing school, disrupting their education and learning. According to the MENstruation Foundation, this is the reality for one in three schoolgirls, potentially costing them up to 60 days in the classroom each year. The 2026 Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA) Conference provided a platform to highlight the work of the MENstruation Foundation, a non-profit organisation working to address period poverty by improving access to sanitary products. Delegates were encouraged to support the foundation’s work, by contributing towards the provision of sanitary pads, helping more girls manage their periods with dignity, without compromising their education. While the conference provided an opportunity to raise awareness, the collection remains ongoing. HASA invites individuals, businesses and organisations to support this initiative. Every contribution, no matter the size, can help give more girls the opportunity to thrive. Click here for more details on how to donate and use HASA as your reference when making a payment.

“Every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and pursue her ambitions without challenges standing in her way. HASA is lending its platform to encourage donations and connect the Foundation with people who can contribute to its work. We appreciate the opportunity to support an initiative that addresses an important social need,” says Dr Dumisani Bomela, CEO of HASA.

The foundation’s Sanitary Pad Dispensing Machine Project provides free access to sanitary products at schools, helping girls access essential products during menstruation. For as little as R60, you can keep a girl in school for an entire year. Donations go towards providing sanitary pads, with contributions helping to support the Foundation’s work.