Story of Change: New Heritage combatting period poverty

In the heart of South Africa, the New Heritage Foundation (NHF) has been leading a powerful movement to combat period poverty and dismantle the stigma surrounding menstruation. Through their initiative, “Women’s Voice and Leadership: Ending Period Stigma,” the organisation has championed the use of reusable sanitary products, inclusive education, and male allyship to create lasting change in schools, prisons, and communities. Key stakeholders, including government representatives, educators, and youth advocates, have rallied behind this cause. The foundation’s work was highlighted at the 2025 Learning and Sharing Summit in Cape Town, where founder Chantelle Goliath emphasised the need for systemic shifts in menstrual health policies and cultural attitudes.

Description

The New Heritage Foundation has adopted a comprehensive approach to menstrual health. They ensure girls receive dignity bags with reusable pads, which helps restore their confidence and improve school attendance. Boys are educated on menstrual health, becoming advocates who challenge stigma in their homes and communities. Women in prisons gain access to sustainable menstrual products, allowing them to bleed with dignity. The foundation has also developed digital educational programs in PowerPoint format, making menstrual health education accessible to all ages and genders. Additionally, they are finalising their own Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) textbook, a groundbreaking resource for schools and NGOs across Africa. A key milestone was the local manufacturing of eco-friendly reusable pads, providing a sustainable solution to period poverty while supporting the local economy.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The impact of the foundation’s work is evident in several key areas. Firstly, there has been an increase in school attendance among girls who no longer fear period shaming, allowing them to participate in their education fully. Additionally, boys have actively participated in pad-making workshops, helping to break down gender stereotypes and promote a more inclusive approach to menstrual health. The foundation has also engaged in policy advocacy efforts to integrate menstrual health into national education frameworks, ensuring that this important issue receives the attention it deserves. By September 2025, the foundation had achieved significant milestones, including the distribution of over 5,000 dignity bags in schools and prisons, the training of 1,200 boys as menstrual health champions, and partnerships with 10 local NGOs to expand further their reach and effectiveness in addressing these critical issues.

Changes That Have Occurred

Breaking menstrual stigma

• Boys are now openly discussing menstruation, which challenges long-standing taboos within their families. This shift in conversation is crucial in promoting understanding and empathy around the topic of menstruation. Additionally, schools have begun to integrate menstrual health education into their life skills programs, ensuring that students are informed and equipped to address menstrual health openly and respectfully.

Policy and advocacy wins.

• The New Heritage Foundation has played a significant role in influencing local government discussions surrounding menstrual equity. Their advocacy efforts are being considered for inclusion in national sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) policies, indicating a growing recognition of the importance of menstrual health in broader health initiatives.

Economic and environmental impact

• The local production of reusable pads has not only provided employment opportunities for women in underserved communities but has also contributed to their economic empowerment. Furthermore, this initiative has led to a reduction in plastic waste generated from disposable pads, promoting environmental sustainability and showcasing the positive intersection of health and environmental initiatives.

Significance of the change

The New Heritage Foundation’s work extends beyond merely distributing pads; it actively reshapes cultural norms and empowers a generation to view menstruation without shame. Through an inclusive approach that engages boys, prisoners, and policymakers, the foundation ensures sustainable change in attitudes and access to menstrual health. Key policy implications emerging from their work include the need for government subsidies for reusable pads specifically targeting low-income communities, the incorporation of menstrual health into comprehensive sexuality education as a fundamental human right, and the necessity for prisons and schools to guarantee access to menstrual products for all individuals.

What contribution did your organisation make to this change?

The New Heritage Foundation has made significant advancements in menstrual health through a range of impactful initiatives. By distributing over 5,000 dignity bags, they have effectively tackled period poverty, enabling girls to maintain their school attendance. Their inclusive education programs, which engage boys as allies, have played a crucial role in dismantling the stigma surrounding menstruation at the community level. Additionally, the foundation’s advocacy efforts have influenced local and national policy changes, laying the groundwork for sustainable structural improvements. Through the local production of eco-friendly pads, they not only reduced waste but also created job opportunities, empowering women economically. Furthermore, their development of digital resources and an upcoming textbook aims to expand knowledge and ensure scalability across the African continent. Overall, these efforts have redefined societal attitudes, promoting menstruation as a topic of dignity rather than shame.

Next steps

To amplify their impact, the New Heritage Foundation has outlined several strategic initiatives. Firstly, they plan to publish their textbook on SRHR for nationwide distribution, ensuring that valuable information is accessible to a broader audience. Secondly, they aim to expand partnerships with African NGOs, enabling the replication of their successful model in various communities. Additionally, the foundation plans to launch a documentary that highlights period poverty as a silent pandemic requiring urgent attention. Lastly, they will advocate for policy reforms to make menstrual products tax-free, further supporting those in need. Through these efforts, the New Heritage Foundation seeks to create meaningful change in the realm of sexual and reproductive health.

Conclusion

New Heritage Foundation is not just fighting period poverty; it is building a movement where no girl or woman is held back by her biology. Their work aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Quality Education (SDG 4). As they continue to grow, their story serves as a blueprint for menstrual equity across Africa and beyond.