Artist with a heart of gold
Namibian gospel artist Lady Dyna joined international celebrities in the fight of keeping girls in school.
Research shows that in southern Africa alone, girls stay away from schools at least one to five days a month during their menstrual cycle. This amounts to roughly 25% of classes missed per year which will result in them missing out on their education, Lady Dyna, who is a social worker by profession, said. She works with young girls of different age groups, many of whom are afraid to talk about menstruation. Menstruation in many traditions is a taboo and this contributes to girls shying away from the topic.
Lady Dyna says she has seen families who are financially challenged and this forces them to prioritise food and other basic necessities over sanitary pads. “I shared my experience with my mentor and fellow gospel artist from Kambua from Kenya when I went to shoot my music video and she told me about a project she has embarked on. She advised me on how I could start the same project in Namibia. We both believe it's a good initiative to support girls to stay in school and that is what I did,” said Lady Dyna.
The artist and a team of helpers from D-Naff Entertainment have identified the first 10 girls that will benefit from the 'Keep a Girl in School' project through the SOS Family strengthening team. Lady Dyna will not only be giving out sanitary pads but will also empower the girls through hygiene awareness and linking them to available opportunities for them to complete their education.
“I want to be advocating for the government to do something so sanitary pads are seen as a necessity for girls which should be provided in schools, just like stationery. God gave us a special gift that we may be able to reproduce and fill the earth for Him. Many girls don't see the beauty of it because periods are terrible time for them,” she said.
The first handover was done last weekend and the girls will be receiving sanitary pads every 15th of each month. Lady Dyna said she wants to identify girls from the northern regions to benefit from her project and asks for anyone to become a sponsor. Sponsors can contact her on her social media accounts for sanitary pads to be picked up or dropped off.
June Shimuoshili
Research shows that in southern Africa alone, girls stay away from schools at least one to five days a month during their menstrual cycle. This amounts to roughly 25% of classes missed per year which will result in them missing out on their education, Lady Dyna, who is a social worker by profession, said. She works with young girls of different age groups, many of whom are afraid to talk about menstruation. Menstruation in many traditions is a taboo and this contributes to girls shying away from the topic.
Lady Dyna says she has seen families who are financially challenged and this forces them to prioritise food and other basic necessities over sanitary pads. “I shared my experience with my mentor and fellow gospel artist from Kambua from Kenya when I went to shoot my music video and she told me about a project she has embarked on. She advised me on how I could start the same project in Namibia. We both believe it's a good initiative to support girls to stay in school and that is what I did,” said Lady Dyna.
The artist and a team of helpers from D-Naff Entertainment have identified the first 10 girls that will benefit from the 'Keep a Girl in School' project through the SOS Family strengthening team. Lady Dyna will not only be giving out sanitary pads but will also empower the girls through hygiene awareness and linking them to available opportunities for them to complete their education.
“I want to be advocating for the government to do something so sanitary pads are seen as a necessity for girls which should be provided in schools, just like stationery. God gave us a special gift that we may be able to reproduce and fill the earth for Him. Many girls don't see the beauty of it because periods are terrible time for them,” she said.
The first handover was done last weekend and the girls will be receiving sanitary pads every 15th of each month. Lady Dyna said she wants to identify girls from the northern regions to benefit from her project and asks for anyone to become a sponsor. Sponsors can contact her on her social media accounts for sanitary pads to be picked up or dropped off.
June Shimuoshili
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