The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Gender Forum has turned a Women’s Month celebration into practical support for students, collecting 2,752 sanitary pads following an appeal from the Student Counselling and Health unit.
The donation drive followed DUT’s Women’s Day Celebration, which brought together staff, stakeholders and Gender Forum members to recognise the achievements and contributions of women while reflecting on issues affecting the university community.
The appeal from the Student Counselling and Health unit called on members to assist students who may struggle to access essential menstrual hygiene products. Gender Forum members responded by contributing sanitary pads that will now be distributed to students through the department’s support programmes.
The collection comprised 220 packs containing 10 sanitary pads each, 61 packs containing eight sanitary pads each and eight packs containing 36 sanitary pads each. In total, the contributions amounted to 2,752 sanitary pads.
The initiative demonstrates how conversations around dignity, gender equality and inclusion can be translated into practical action that responds to the needs of students.
For students experiencing period poverty, access to sanitary products can be a significant challenge and may affect their wellbeing and ability to participate fully in academic and campus life. By contributing to the Student Counselling and Health unit’s support efforts, the Gender Forum is helping to address one of the practical challenges that can affect students during their university journey.
The Student Counselling and Health unit expressed its appreciation for the contribution, highlighting the difference the donations will make in supporting the wellbeing and dignity of students.
“On behalf of the Student Counselling unit, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your generous donation of sanitary pads in support of our students. We are truly grateful for the contributions received, which will make a meaningful difference in supporting the well-being and dignity of our students. The donations will assist us in ensuring that students have access to essential personal care products when they need them. Thank you once again for your kindness, generosity and willingness to support our students. Your contribution is greatly appreciated and will have a lasting positive impact on the students we serve.”
Ms Ronelle Lyson, Deputy Chairperson of the DUT Gender Forum and Coordinator: Alumni Relations, said the initiative demonstrated the importance of turning awareness into action.
“Women’s Month provides us with an opportunity not only to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women, but also to respond to the challenges that many women and young people continue to face every day. When the Student Counselling unit shared its appeal for sanitary pad donations, our members immediately embraced the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students.”
“The response was incredible and reflects the compassionate and caring nature of the DUT community. Every donation represented more than just a pack of sanitary pads. It represented dignity, support, hope and a commitment to ensuring that our students have access to the basic necessities they need to thrive. We are immensely proud of every Gender Forum member who contributed to this initiative and helped make it a success.”
Lyson said the initiative also reflected the people-centred and socially responsive principles of DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy.
“This donation drive speaks directly to the aspirations of ENVISION2030. Our strategy calls on us to be people-centred, socially responsive and committed to student success. Supporting students in practical ways is one of the most meaningful ways we can contribute to those goals. When we work together as a university community, we can create lasting positive change and help ensure that no student is left behind.”
The donation drive also highlights the value of collaboration across the university. Through the partnership between the Gender Forum and Student Counselling and Health unit, a call for assistance was transformed into tangible support for students.
For the Gender Forum, the initiative reinforces the importance of linking advocacy with action. While Women’s Month provides an opportunity to recognise the achievements of women and raise awareness around equality and inclusion, the donation drive demonstrated how these conversations can lead to practical interventions that directly benefit the university community.
The 2,752 sanitary pads will now support students through the Student Counselling and Health unit, providing access to essential personal care products while reinforcing a culture of dignity, care and shared responsibility at DUT.
The initiative serves as a reminder that meaningful change does not always begin with a large intervention. Sometimes, it starts with people recognising a need and choosing to act. Through their generosity, DUT Gender Forum members have shown how collective action can turn a simple donation into practical support for students and contribute to a more inclusive and caring university environment.
Pictured: DUT Gender Forum members handing over sanitary pads to the Student Counselling and Health unit.
Photo: Supplied.
Ronelle Lyson
