SPAR Launches National Radio Drive to Speak Up on Period Poverty

SPAR recently partnered with community radio stations across the country to normalise menstrual health conversations, deepen public understanding of period poverty and its impact on young girls.

Durban, South Africa (28 May 2026) – No young girl should miss school, feel shame, or be excluded from opportunity because of a natural biological cycle.

It is on this belief that SPAR continues to reinforce its commitment to building stronger, healthier communities through a nationwide menstrual health initiative aimed at expanding access to essential hygiene products for young girls across South Africa – and ultimately putting an end to period poverty by 2030.

Leading up to World Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed today on 28 May, SPAR played its part in making sure the conversation is heard far and wide by partnering with community radio stations across the country.

These stations played a central role in driving open, accessible conversations around menstrual health, helping to break stigma, dispel harmful myths, and deepen public understanding of period poverty and its impact on young girls.

Through on-air discussions and interactive listener segments, the campaign created safe and relatable spaces for dialogue in local languages and within culturally relevant contexts, ensuring the message is not only heard but understood and normalised.

Beyond awareness, the initiative was designed to deliver real, tangible impact.

Listeners were invited to nominate schools, children’s homes, and community organisations that support young girls and need menstrual hygiene resources. From these nominations, selected beneficiaries will receive a meaningful supply of SPAR Petals sanitary pads, helping to ensure consistent access to essential menstrual care products.

This support is intended to reduce absenteeism, improve school attendance, and restore dignity for young girls who are most vulnerable to the effects of period poverty.

“Period poverty is not only a health issue, but also an education and dignity issue. Many young girls are forced to miss school or participate less fully in their communities because they lack access to basic menstrual hygiene products. Through this initiative, we are working to change that reality in a practical and meaningful way,” said Mpudi Maubane, National PR, Communications & Sponsorships Manager.

The community-first retailer acknowledged that ending period poverty by 2030 will require collective action across the public and private sectors, as well as ongoing engagement with communities at the grassroots level to ensure solutions are relevant, accessible, and sustainable.

The recent initiative is designed not as a one-off campaign, but as part of a longer-term movement to normalise menstrual health conversations and ensure lasting access to menstrual hygiene products for young girls across the country.

For more information, visit https://sparendperiodpoverty.co.za/

Sources: SPAR

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