According to Kotex, the global COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the strength of women around the world who are leading the response in multiple essential roles. The brand also says that at the same time, the job loss resulting from the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women and has left more than 743 million girls in 185 countries out of school.

"The stigma attached to menstruation [and] the lack of access to products will keep millions of women and girls from pursuing dreams of becoming one of those heroes on the front lines," said Juanita Pelaez from Kimberly-Clark.

"The Kotex 'She Can' initiative is a long-term effort to build a future where a period never gets in the way of any woman's progress," adds Pelaez.

Kimberly-Clark says that its commitment to menstrual hygiene was born from insights of women working as war-time nurses more than 100 years ago, who stitched together hygiene pads made from Kimberly-Clark's cellucotton bandages so they could stay on the front lines during their period.

When the Kotex brand was introduced in 1920, the stigma attached to menstruation required it to be sold in a plain, unmarked box behind a pharmacy counter. 

One hundred years later, the company and the Kotex brand have indicated that they remain focused on eliminating stigmas, improving access and improving key outcomes for women and girls in the areas of education and overall health and wellness.

"The days of South African women and girls feeling and being made to feel dirty or other are coming to an end," says Kotex. "Anecdotal evidence suggests that lack of adequate sanitary wear might result in young girls, particularly of high school age, missing school while menstruating."

According to the brand, one study found that adolescent girls in South Africa can miss up to five days of school per month due to menstruation. Furthermore, the shame and privacy surrounding menstruation creates even more scares and therefore increasing the stigma around periods.

"Days like Menstrual Hygiene Day are important because they provide the platform to engage openly around menstruation. The Kotex 'She Can' initiative is committed to continuing educating society as a whole that menstruation is a normal bodily function in a female body," says Nthabiseng Leso, Kotex South Africa marketing manager.

The Kotex 'She Can' initiative will focus its social impact of Kimberly-Clark's feminine care brands by:
  • addressing the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products and education through the Alliance for Period Supplies and other efforts around the world
  • partnering with Plan International to invest R43-million over three years into menstrual hygiene solutions, including basic sanitation and product access 
  • supporting education and resources for girls, boys and teachers to destigmatise menstruation, and
  • investing and providing grants through efforts around the globe to open doors for women to pursue independent futures.
Kimberly-Clark and Kotex are sponsors of Menstrual Hygiene Day, a global awareness programme launched by WASH United in 2014. The programme aims to bring global attention to the lack of menstrual hygiene management access, education and sanitation affecting millions of women and girls.

"Over the past five months, we've donated millions of Kotex products to COVID-19 response and relief efforts around the world," says Pelaez. "We know that we can do more to help her rebuild the future of our communities."

"The Kotex 'She Can' initiative will provide sustained support for women and girls whose futures can be changed through access to period supplies, community education and an independent future," concludes Pelaez.

For more information, visit www.kimberly-clark.com. You can also follow Kimberly-Clark on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.