Understanding the Urgency of Menstrual Hygiene in South Africa's PSET Sector
In South Africa's Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector, which encompasses 26 public universities, 50 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, and 9 Community Education and Training (CET) colleges, menstrual hygiene support has emerged as a critical issue affecting student equity and success. PSET serves over 1.2 million students annually, with female enrollment hovering around 45-50 percent, making access to affordable sanitary products not just a health concern but a cornerstone of educational retention and gender equality. Period poverty—the inability to afford menstrual products—silently undermines academic performance, participation, and graduation rates, particularly among students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds who rely on limited financial aid.
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has recognized this gap, positioning sanitary dignity as a national development priority rather than a peripheral 'women's issue.' Recent advancements signal a shift toward systemic solutions, emphasizing free or subsidized sanitary pads, education on menstrual health, and improved facilities like private toilets and hygienic disposal systems. These initiatives aim to dismantle barriers that force students to choose between dignity and attendance, fostering an environment where biological processes do not derail career-building opportunities in higher education.
DHET's Landmark Colloquium: Spotlight on April 1, 2026
On April 1, 2026, the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training hosted a pivotal colloquium at Parliament's Good Hope Chambers, titled 'Provision of Free Menstrual Hygiene Products for Girls and Women in South Africa.' Chaired by Walter Tebogo Letsie, the event brought together DHET officials, Higher Health SA representatives, and stakeholders to dissect the state of menstrual support in PSET institutions. Deputy Minister Dr. Nomusa Dube-Ncube delivered a compelling presentation, underscoring that 'provision of sanitary products is not charity but a catching-up exercise to the value of humanity.'
The discussions highlighted progress like VAT removal on menstrual products and the Sanitary Dignity Implementation Framework (SDIF), yet stressed the need for PSET-specific strategies. Key themes included product safety—referencing a University of the Free State (UFS) study detecting hormone-disrupting chemicals in some pads—menstrual education, and safe sanitation. DHET committed to clearer guidelines ensuring consistent access across all PSET institutions, marking a proactive step toward standardization.
Current Landscape: NSFAS Allowances and Institutional Efforts
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), funding over 1 million PSET students, incorporates a personal care allowance within its comprehensive package. For 2026, this includes approximately R2,900 annually (around R240 monthly) for incidental and personal needs, alongside living (R15,000/year), book (R5,200), and accommodation allowances. While not ring-fenced for sanitary pads, officials argue it empowers students as adults to manage essentials independently, preserving agency and dignity.
Higher Health SA, DHET's health implementation arm, bridges gaps by distributing roughly 150,000 sanitary dignity packs yearly to historically disadvantaged universities and TVET colleges. These packs, sourced via World Bank and private donations, contain disposable pads and are dispensed discreetly to combat stigma. Institutions like Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) exemplify grassroots action, with the Vice-Chancellor's office sustaining distributions to uphold student dignity amid economic pressures.
🔒 The Hidden Toll of Period Poverty on Attendance and Retention
Period poverty exacts a heavy price in PSET, mirroring school-level trends where 30 percent of South African girls face product inaccessibility, leading to one-third missing up to a week of classes monthly. In higher education, the impacts are subtler but profound: reduced class participation, group work avoidance, and higher dropout risks. Studies indicate that without reliable access, female students experience heightened stress, lower grades, and diminished confidence—factors compounding South Africa's 50-plus percent youth unemployment.
- Financial strain: A basic pack costs R10-R20, unaffordable when allowances prioritize food and transport.
- Stigma and facilities: Inadequate private toilets force improvised solutions, exacerbating embarrassment.
- Health intersections: Conditions like endometriosis, disproportionately affecting Black women, amplify needs for comprehensive support.
Extrapolating national data, tens of thousands of PSET females may skip sessions monthly, hindering skills development in critical fields like engineering at TVETs or health sciences at universities.
Case Studies: TVET Colleges and Universities Leading the Way
Several PSET institutions have pioneered responses. At CPUT, ongoing dignity pack distributions target vulnerable female students, ensuring uninterrupted learning. South Cape TVET College ran a 2021 drive for 2,000 packs during Women's Month, restoring girl-child dignity through community partnerships. Vaal University of Technology (VUT) students collected towels for local schools, extending higher ed's reach.
In universities, the University of Pretoria's EMS students donated 400+ packs in 2022, highlighting peer-led advocacy. These efforts demonstrate how targeted interventions boost attendance—e.g., Higher Health reports improved wellness metrics post-distribution—while fostering campus-wide awareness. For detailed insights into the parliamentary discussions, see the Parliament's media alert.
Challenges and Stakeholder Perspectives
Fragmentation plagues current efforts: DWYPD's 2019 Sanitary Dignity Programme excels in schools but underreaches PSET. Donation-dependent distributions risk inconsistency, while NSFAS's universal approach overlooks gendered needs. Deputy Minister Dube-Ncube noted, 'Silent illnesses like polycystic ovary syndrome demand we consider if this isn't a race issue too.'
Students and advocates call for dedicated stipends, echoing global successes like Kenya's pad subsidies reducing absenteeism by 8 percent. Higher Health SA's CEO, Prof. Ramneek Ahluwalia, advocated nationwide towel programs and workshops at the colloquium. As Sunday World reported, parliamentarians urged Treasury funding akin to condom programs.
| Challenge | Impact on PSET Students |
|---|---|
| Ad hoc funding | Inconsistent supply chains |
| Stigma | Low uptake despite availability |
| Infrastructure gaps | Unsafe disposal leading to health risks |
Solutions on the Horizon: DHET's Strategic Roadmap
DHET's post-colloquium priorities include:
- Policy standardization: Uniform guidelines for all PSET sites, allowing contextual adaptation.
- Sustainable funding: Public-private partnerships (PPPs) and Treasury allocations for scalable procurement.
- Dignity-focused rollout: Stigma-free vending machines, education campaigns, and facility upgrades.
Inspired by SDIF—defining sanitary dignity as knowledge, products, water, toilets, and disposal— these steps promise equity. For context on product safety concerns raised, refer to the UFS study.
Broader Implications for Gender Equity in Higher Education
Robust menstrual support aligns with National Development Plan goals, enhancing female retention in STEM at TVETs and leadership tracks at universities. Economically, it unlocks workforce participation, addressing SA's gender pay gap. Culturally, breaking taboos via campus seminars normalizes menstruation, empowering generations.
Institutions can act now: partner with Higher Health, install eco-friendly dispensers, and integrate MHM into wellness curricula. Students benefit from step-by-step management: track cycles via apps, access counseling, and advocate via SRCs.
Future Outlook: Toward Universal Access in PSET
With DHET's momentum, 2026-2027 could see pilot guidelines in select TVETs and universities, scaling nationally by 2028. Monitoring via Higher Health metrics—attendance upticks, satisfaction surveys—will gauge success. As Inside Education notes, this positions PSET as a model for dignity-driven education.
Stakeholders must collaborate: government funds, corporates donate, institutions implement. Ultimately, menstrual hygiene support transforms PSET from a battleground of barriers to a launchpad for empowered careers.
Photo by Arjun Baroi on Unsplash
Actionable Insights for PSET Stakeholders
For administrators: Audit facilities, train staff on discreet distribution. Students: Utilize NSFAS wisely, join advocacy groups. Policymakers: Prioritize budgets. These steps ensure every female PSET student thrives unhindered.
