Menstruation and reproductive health affect millions
of women and girls in South Africa — yet for many,
they remain daily struggles with far-reaching
consequences. Period poverty leaves girls missing
school and women unable to live with dignity, while
endometriosis, a chronic and often invisible condition,
can go undiagnosed for years, affecting education,
work, and quality of life.
Tonight, we examine these issues through a human
rights lens: how access to menstrual products,
healthcare, and awareness isn’t just a health matter —
it’s a question of equality, dignity, and justice. We’ll
explore what’s being done, where gaps remain, and
what needs to change to ensure that women and girls
can live fully without barriers imposed by their
biology.