GoAllOut, a student-led organisation at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, is pressing for legislative action to provide free sanitary pads in schools and public spaces.

“We advocate for the provision of free sanitary pads as we want to promote female hygiene and take a stand against period poverty,” says Karabo Moalusi, a GoAllOut representative.

“Government’s commitment to fighting HIV through free condoms is commendable. It shows the state has the resources to address major public health issues. The same dedication should be applied to sanitary pads, but not at the expense of condoms,” Karabo says. “The struggles for free condoms and free sanitary pads are linked; both are about securing full reproductive and sexual rights for all South Africans.”

Luyanda Zulu, GoAllOut president, describes period poverty as a challenge that affects access to education, social inclusion and health. “For many girls in South Africa and across Africa, menstruation means missing school, facing social stigma and being exposed to health risks due to a lack of sanitary products.”

After setting a Guinness World Record in 2024 with its "Pad the Way" initiative, the group is now collecting 50 000 signatures to push for government intervention in period poverty.

GoAllOut gained attention last year by assembling a 3,5km-long line of 51 870 sanitary pads and collecting more than 100 000 pads through corporate partnerships. This year the organisation aims to collect even more sanitary pads, not only to break the record, but also to continue to push for menstrual health awareness.

Luyanda adds that the campaign extends beyond product donations, and that GoAllOut is seeking broad public support to push lawmakers toward policy change.