North West schoolgirls will receive sanitary towels to the value of R5,5 million, the provincial health department said on Tuesday.
"The province has resolved to meet the needs of learners whom, for socio-economic reasons, are unable to take appropriate care during their menstrual period," said spokesman Tebogo Lekgethwane.
He said that North West premier Thandi Modise and health MEC Dr Magome Masike would begin the roll-out on Friday at the Lekgopung primary school, outside Zeerust.
In the 12-month initiative, 93, 000 girls would receive free sanitary towels.
"During menstrual period[s] most of them absent themselves from school and some... make use of unhygienic material that predisposes them to infection," Lekgethwane said.
He said the use of such these materials could affect their fertility in adulthood.
