Push for Free Period Products Reaches Parliament

“This marks the first time in South Africa's democracy that a civil society movement has not only drafted legislation, costed it for feasibility, developed an implementation strategy, and gathered endorsements from institutions representing more than two million people, but has also officially submitted these to Parliament. Learners played a central role by leading the delegation, painting a vivid picture of period poverty, reminding us that it has faces, and leading the handover inside Parliament,” says Tracey.

The Bill was first publicly launched on 26 May 2025 at the organisation’s Menstrual Health Equity Summit, hosted at the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The summit brought together learners, teachers, unions, civil society organisations, Chapter 9 institutions, government officials, and Members of Parliament.

Also Read: A push to eradicate ‘period poverty’

“The Bill was developed through imaginary activism and later workshopped and shared with civil society organisations, unions, schools and institutions of higher learning to strengthen it based on the expertise of their organisations,” adds Tracey.

Speaking in Parliament from lived experience, 16-year-old Asenathi Mpisane’s voice reflects the reality faced by millions of girls across South Africa, where period poverty continues to disrupt education, dignity, and opportunity.

“This is the oppressing reality we face as young girls because of period poverty, formed by a system created by negligence and lack of care from the very same government our parents vote for every elections hoping for a better life,” says Asenathi.

Committee Chairperson Tebogo Letsie, who promised that the committee “will continue to stand with you in the fight to ensure free and safe sanitary pads for all," has suggested that the proposals be directed to the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, and that the Speaker of the National Assembly be informed.