Dedicated on their mission to inform and empower women to take responsibility for their health, understand their health options, the Student Affairs Division (DSA) in partnership with the Mina Foundation, ran a Women's Health Awareness drive, creating ‘Menstrual Cup awareness, Breast Cancer Awareness and HIV Health Screening’.
The campaign was held recently at Bellville campus, and the DSA distributed over 100 Mina Cups (a feminine hygiene product that is inserted during menstruation period to those interested after listening to the information session. Melani-Ann Hara, Student Development Officer, said the Mina menstrual cups were donated by the Gift of the Givers through an initiative led by Ayesha Reiners from the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment. Hara said they have a group of students who have been trained by the Mina Foundation to conduct awareness campaigns across campus and students can collect a Mina cup from the campus clinics.
She said the Mina menstrual cups are an alternative option for females, who would like to consider the environment, who are struggling with the costs of sanitary pads/tampons each month and those looking for alternatives due to health reasons. A Mina Cup can be used for up to five years, saving one’s money and being environmentally friendly.
She said over 1000 females will benefit from this initiative and “we are hoping to continue the partnership with Mina Foundation and Gift of the Givers who have sponsored the Mina cups to CPUT”. “[We aim] to provide alternatives to students, as well as ensuring no female student misses out on her education due to menstruation.”
“We are also thankful to all those who attended and especially to those student volunteers who made the initiative a success,” said Hara.
DSA also leads awareness about breast cancer screening and provide information about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI's) as well as prevention measures. Hara and her team provided information about possible symptoms of breast cancer and also advised on how to do monthly self-breast examinations.
To those students or staff members who are interested in using the Mina cup, please educate yourself by getting more information online https://minacup.com and speak to the nurses at the Campus Health Clinics where you can assess them for free (while stocks last).
Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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