The Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Reginah Mhaule, accompanied by DBE Senior Managers, briefed the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities on 17 March 2026. Committee Chairperson, Ms Liezl van der Merwe, said that the first combined briefing on the Sanitary Dignity Framework by the Departments of Basic Education, Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) and Social Development (DSD) had taken place a year ago and an update was required as the programme remains a dignified lifeline to many young schoolgirls. She added that identified gaps and presentative measures must be addressed during the next three weeks heading up to the Sanitary Colloquium on 1 April 2026. All government departments present agreed that the Department of Public Works should be part of the intergovernmental approach due to school hygiene and infrastructure implications.

Deputy Minister of DWYPD, Ms Steve Letsike, highlighted that sanitary dignity was not merely a health intervention, but a social justice intervention to alleviate period poverty. On the safety of menstrual products, the Deputy Minister noted the recent announcement from the University of the Free State that certain sanitary projects contain endocrine disruptive products, enhancing exposure to chemical products; however, a multistakeholder engagement with the DSD and Trade and Industry resulted in a media briefing that no scientific proof about infertility or cervical cancer exist, whilst supporting further research for products to remain safe. A call was made to enhance a multisectoral approach, better provincial spending and monitoring.

DDG of the DWYPD, Ms Shoki Tshabalala, indicated that the Sanitary Dignity Programme, implemented across all 9 provinces, has provided free sanitary products to 4 million girl learners in Quintile 1 - 3, farm and special schools during 2025 to 2026, leading to improved school attendance and performance; restored dignity and hygiene; and providing economic relief to families. The programme is gradually maturing, and improvement is visible in the Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng Provinces with the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces performing well. Best practice has influenced Southern African Development Countries (SADC) such as Lesotho, and the Framework will be reviewed in 2027/28, after 5 years in partnership with the United Nations.

Deputy Minister, Dr Regina Mhaule, in her response, said that “the DBE firmly supports the Sanitary Dignity Framework, which seeks to ensure that no learner is disadvantaged or excluded from learning due to menstrual health. Through this programme learners in Quintile 1 – 3 schools continue to benefit from the provision of sanitary products, supported through incremental grants allocated to provinces by National Treasury in support of provision of sanitary towels to girl learners in schools; however, the current allocation remains insufficient”.

Mr Likho Bottoman: Director, Social Cohesion and Equity in Education, delivered the presentation on behalf of the DBE: “The Department has developed Menstrual Health Management Guidelines to support schools in implementing effective and dignified responses. Menstrual health is also embedded in the curriculum particularly through Life Skills and Life Orientation. This is further strengthened through Comprehensive Sexuality Education which equips learners with knowledge, values and skills necessary to safeguard their health and wellbeing. The DBE also leverages existing frameworks like the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Care and Support for Teaching and Learning (CSTL) framework to enhance WASH implementation. The recent DBE Indaba on Menstrual Health Management and Sanitary Dignity reaffirmed the need for stronger multi-departmental coordination, improved monitoring and evaluation and partnerships as we work towards universal access. Along with an intergovernmental approach, Public Private Partnerships have proven to be successful in expanding access, however, product mix and product choice is probably an answer and will uphold body autonomy principle for young women and girls,” he concluded.