IPUSE Holdings Pty Ltd

Africa currently faces the scourge of period poverty. Period poverty is the inability to afford and access menstrual products, sanitation and hygiene facilities and education and awareness to manage menstrual health. Some families have to make the choice of buying food or menstrual products for women and girls, leaving most women and girls without hygiene products to manage what their bodies naturally produces. The University of Stellenbosch found that 30% of young girls in South Africa are affected by period poverty. This means that 30% of girls miss school every month during their menstrual days. The solution that IPUSE Holdings has implemented is establishing Sanitary Pads Manufacturing Incubation Centre in communities where period poverty is rife. The Incubation Centre manufactures biodegradable sanitary pads that are donated to girls and women who need them. The Incubation Centre also provides training to women and youth in the manufacturing of sanitary pads, providing skills development and employment opportunities to the communities it serves. The Incubation Centre also provides access to a sector where training does not largely exist.