Local networking is an important aspect of the BPW charter and this often has surprising outcomes.
For example, when NZ First MP Tracey Martin talked about a global initiative to provide disadvantaged young women with free, reusable sanitary protection, BPW president Sally Smith was keen to get involved.
The Days For Girls programme was setup early last year, with a sewing group meeting on the first Thursday of each month at Sally’s Sandspit home. Last year they made 50 kits, which were snapped up locally.
“We thought the need would be overseas and perhaps in the Far North, but we soon found that there were many young girls locally who either couldn’t afford or didn’t have access to commercial sanitary protection,” Sally says.
Each kit consists of a cotton drawstring bag, two brushed cotton liners, eight brushed cotton pads, two pairs of cotton knickers, a bar of soap, a cotton flannel and two resealable plastic bags. The pads and liners are washable and can last for two to three years.
Donations of new dark cotton knickers, all sizes; cotton face flannels (not microfibre); bars of soap; and medium resealable snap lock plastic bags are always welcome. They can be left at Tracey Martin’s office in Riverside Arcade, Warkworth.
Days For Girls originally started as a means to help girls in Africa who were missing school just for lack of sanitary protection.
