Bodyform are trying to change things for women in Zimbabwe
Backed by celebrities including Amanda Holden, Kym Marsh and Suzanne Shaw, Bodyform’s ‘Dignity! Period.’ campaign in association with ACTSA (Action for Southern Africa), has made a new pledge to donate 2.3 million products to help the serious plight of women in Zimbabwe who are unable to afford safe, hygienic sanitary protection.
Faced with the economic adversity, most manufacturers of sanitary products have left Zimbabwe, compounding shortages.As a result sanitary protection in Zimbabwe costs more than five times the average monthly wage, women are being denied a basic necessity and resort to using rags and newspapers a practice which has led to vaginal infections for which there is no available medication. These infections are often wrongly thought to be sexually transmitted, leading to social embarrassment and domestic violence.
This lack of sanitary products has far reaching implications. Families suffer from increased poverty as mothers and wives are unable to work when they have their periods. This means that they are unable to buy food and clothes or finance their children’s education. In addition girls are forced to take time off school, further jeopardising their education.
Amanda Holden adds, 'When I heard about the Dignity! Period. campaign, I realised how important it was to raise awareness for the plight of the women in Zimbabwe. It should be every woman's right to have access to sanitary protection so the work that Bodyform and ACTSA are doing is invaluable. I would urge everyone to support this campaign.'
Pick up a pack of Bodyform with the ‘Buy one & we’ll donate one’ sticker during August and September. The sticker will do exactly as it says; for every promotional pack of Bodyform bought, a woman in Zimbabwe will receive hers completely free of charge. What’s more, all packs are donated through a local manufacturer which not only boosts the local economy but reduces the environmental impact of transportation.
Kym Marsh comments, ‘'When I think about women in Zimbabwe not having access to sanitary protection it really hits home that these women are living in terrible poverty and conditions. I am proud to be supporting the Dignity! Period. campaign to help Bodyform alleviate the suffering of these women who have no access to basic sanitary protection.’
Bodyform’s ‘Dignity! Period.’ campaign shows how simple it is to give women in Zimbabwe access to safe, hygienic sanitary protection. By either buying one pack of Bodyform or making a donation, you will be making a massive difference, so please get shopping.