The National Union of Mineworkers Women Structure (NUMWS) in the Western Cape Region will be distributing sanitary towel packs to the learners residing at Chris Hani informal settlement in Paarl this coming Saturday (25th of April 2020).

“This distribution by the women structure is underpinned by lived experiences by the working women in our organization who themselves grew up in the same environment without access to better hygiene environment due to the socio-economic conditions under which they grew,” said Michelle Mdongwe, NUM Western Cape Regional Women Structure Secretary.

“With the schools being closed as part of the lockdown declaration to mitigate against the spread of the virus, learners who were benefiting in the government program of distributing the sanitary towels through schools are going through difficult times as they are not benefiting in this program. The past that we have experienced as women wherein all spheres of the society and workplaces we have been discriminated and continue to endure discrimination, and marginalisation. It is, therefore, our responsibility to fight for an environment where our young women grow with their dignity preserved and protected as the future leaders and captains of the various industries,” Mdongwe added.

The NUM calls on the government to re-open the distribution of the sanitary towels to our learners in a way they best find suitable. 

We further call on the big businesses and the service providers who are benefiting from these government tenders to play their part in giving back to society during these challenging times.

The NUM further call on young women to please obey the lockdown restrictions and stay at home so that their parents and siblings can get back to work sooner as they must  demonstrate through discipline that they have succeeded in defeating the virus.

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ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL UNION OF MINEWORKERS

For more information, please contact: 

Michelle Mdongwe, NUM Western Cape Women Structure Secretary, 082 747 5480