Joburg women manufacture reusable pads & encourage the switch from disposal pads

It is unfortunate that a girl child will miss school or drop out as a result of her menstrual cycle. Palesa Pads, a social enterprise operating out of Germiston was founded in the year 2017 with the sole purpose of assisting young girls who often missed school. They manufacture and supply females in South Africa and Namibia with reusable sanitary pads with the aim of keeping young women in school.

Did you know that a woman use will use up to 16,800 disposable pads and tampons during her lifetime? So, what happens after using them and how much does she spend on buying them?

The answer is that disposable menstrual products are created using unwanted waste and profit at the expense of women’s health and the environment. Studies suggest that the chemical used in Ultra Napkins can convert liquid into gel and that can cause cancer in the bladder and uterus. “Having identified the disadvantages associated with dispensary pads, I was unhappy and decided to make my own sanitary towels,” says Shérie de Wet, founder and CEO of Palesa Pads. They have four different sizes and they are waterproof. Similar to dispensary pads, their reusable pads have wings and come with instructions.

Shérie claims it is highly recommended for women to utilize pads made out of cotton. Some of the advantages of using Palesa Pads include the elimination of unpleasant odour, they last up to five years and not only do they save you lots of money but they contribute towards environmental sustainability.

Numeral females without the means or access to menstrual products substitute this with rags in the foam of mattress fabric and toilet paper, which poses a great risk to their health. “With Palesa Pads, women can avoid embarrassing situations such as leaks or infections,” says Omphemetse, the company’s business development director.

Shérie has sacrificed her home as they make use of her garage as a manufacturing factory. They are assisting in creating employment opportunities in South Africa and they currently have 8 employees working in the business. Palesa Pads’ management team does not only sell sanitary towels but they go to schools where they present on personal hygiene associated with pads.

Palesa Pads can be worn up to 12 hours and offer great comfort, every pack consists of four pads, a set of instructions and a plastic bag to keep used pads before washing. If you are interested in purchasing Palesa Pads, you can order via WhatsApp using the number 066 006 6359 or send them an email at info@palesapads.com