Sanitary support for the girl child
Capricorn Group celebrated International Day of the Girl Child on 11 October, a United Nations-recognised event that amplifies girls' voices and raises awareness of the challenges they face. This annual observance focuses on empowering girls and showcasing their leadership, especially in vulnerable communities where support is most needed.Capricorn Group and its employees, known as Changemakers, marked the day by donating sanitary pads to young girls from orphanages and vulnerable communities in the capital and volunteering their time to spend an afternoon with them, engaging in fun and educational activities. This initiative, part of the Group’s "Dignity for Every Girl" programme, addresses period poverty, a critical issue that often keeps girls out of school and negatively impacts their self-esteem.
Through this event, the Capricorn Group made a significant contribution to aiding vulnerable girls by collecting a total of 2 490 packs of sanitary pads. Of these, 1 050 packs were contributed by employees of the Capricorn Group, and Wutow Trading, in collaboration with the Kotex brand, sponsored another 1 440 packs. From the total, 1 680 packs were allocated to 70 girls, providing them with a year's supply of sanitary products, including 24 packs of sanitary pads, one pack of reusable sanitary pads and a motivational booklet by the DEAR Girl Programme, a beneficiary of the Capricorn Foundation.
Further distribution
Imago Dei, Capricorn Group’s vulnerability initiative partner, will distribute the remaining 810 packs of pads to other vulnerable communities, ensuring an additional 33 girls will also receive a year's supply.
"Wutow Trading, in conjunction with our client Kimberly-Clark and the Kotex brand, is delighted to have been part of this initiative. Our group's focus on Youth and their education aligns with our greater efforts to ensure that young girls have access to essential resources, allowing them to stay in school, focus on their studies, and reach their full potential," said Karin Mouton from Wutow Trading.
Period poverty refers to the lack of access to menstrual products and the necessary education on how to use them. By providing these essential items, Capricorn Group is restoring the dignity of young girls and raising awareness of their daily struggles. Employees from Capricorn Group, Bank Windhoek, and Capricorn Asset Management came together to purchase sanitary pads, ensuring that the girls also received reusable pads that last up to five years.
The handover was a heartwarming event filled with fun activities, a shared meal, and an inspirational talk by Justine Andreas and Tuwilika Andreas, the founders of DEAR Girl Namibia. DEAR (Daring Eagle Attaining Results) Girl Namibia, a long-standing partner of the Capricorn Foundation, focuses on empowering Namibian girls, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.