JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — March 30, 2026 — With exactly one day to go before a historic engagement on the Menstrual Health Rights Bill with Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education (National Assembly), the Menstrual Health Coalition (Coalition) is entering its final stretch of advocacy that promises to advance reproductive health rights in the country.
On 1 April 2026, a coalition of activists, researchers, and civil society organisations led by foundational groups -Team Free Sanitary Pads NPC, Women’s Health Ekklesia, and Qrate will present the Menstrual Health Rights Bill. This legislative push represents more than a request for resources; it is a demand for the state to legislate menstrual health as a fundamental human right, inseparable from the constitutional guarantees of equality, human dignity, and bodily autonomy.
“By investing in menstrual health, we are investing in education, public health, and women’s economic empowerment. This Bill recognises that dignity and development must go hand in hand, and that lasting change requires both political will and sustained collaboration,” added Nokuzola Ndwandwe, Menstrual Health Rights Activist and Team Free Sanitary Pads founder.
The Coalition views the upcoming Parliamentary sitting as the ultimate catalyst to shift temporary "sanitary dignity" campaigns towards the systemic advancement of menstrual and reproductive health rights in South Africa. At the center of this cause is the principle of universal access to menstrual products for all, ensuring that SABS and SAHPRA-compliant products reach every person who needs them. This includes learners in quintile 1 to 3 (no-fee) schools, students in higher education, incarcerated people, and indigent households. By enshrining these protections in law, the Bill aims to ensure that no one is ever forced to compromise their right to dignity and health due to a lack of access to menstrual products.
True systemic change also requires radical rethinking of our workplaces and public infrastructure. The Coalition’s proposed Bill includes provision of up to three consecutive days of paid menstrual leave to provide relief for those suffering from severe menstrual pain and/or conditions such as endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). This vision for school and workplace dignity is paired with the demand for quality water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) standards in all public institutions. Additionally, the Bill calls for private, lockable ablution facilities and a definitive timeline for the eradication of pit latrines, in line with the National Sanitation Policy and the Minimum Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure. This ensures that people who menstruate can perform their ablutions with dignity in facilities that are safe and adhere to health standards. The Coalition is also highlighting the economic potential of this bill. By advocating for a Menstrual Product Local Production Fund, the Bill aims to fuel a sustainable, local industry that prioritises women-led enterprises and cooperatives. This approach transforms menstrual health from a social challenge into an opportunity for economic inclusion and empowerment.
The Coalition looks forward to the Parliamentary Colloquium with profound optimism, eager to work with Parliament to finally deliver the dignity that every person in the Republic deserves. Period!
Please note that the draft bill is available on request.
ABOUT THE MENSTRUAL HEALTH COALITION
The Menstrual Health Coalition is a collective of endorsing organizations and allied partners, including Fem Connect, Ibis Reproductive Health, Sexual Reproductive Justice Coalition, Equal Education, The Mina Foundation, The Cora Project, Qrate, and Pads R Us, dedicated to achieving menstrual equity and gender justice in South Africa.
For media enquiries, please contact the Menstrual Health Coalition representative:
Nokuzula Ndwandwe
Team Free Sanitary Pads and Menstrual Health Rights Activist
nokuzola.ndwandwe@gmail.com