International Day of the Girl Child, still no free sanitary pads

The United Nations commemorates this day on 11 October every year with the aim of highlighting and addressing the needs and challenges young girls face.

It's 2017 and girls and boys are still not equal. 

There is no equality in the way they are treated in homes, classrooms and even on the playground. 

Gender equality is a myth.

In South Africa, we have laws which seek to curb and prevent discrimination - whether with regards to race, sex, gender or sexual orientation. In practice it doesn't quite translate. 

Here's why: 

Sex is a choice, menstruation is not 

Free condoms are readily available at state health facilities in South Africa. 

However, the fight for free sanitary towels for girls and women is a far cry from reality.

READ ALSO: The case for tax-free tampons and sanitary pads in SA

I am a middle class citizen and the cost of sanitary pads gives me a headache. For those who can only afford to buy R10 electricity, I can only imagine that buying sanitary towels is not a priority. 

For many it's a case of going to bed hungry vs having a sanitary pad when your menstrual cycle starts. 

In 2011, President Jacob Zuma promised that government would provide free pads to indigent girls and women. To date, this has not materialised.

This demonstrates a lack of willpower to address the dire need for free sanitary pads at schools in poor communities.

It contrasts to the availability of free condoms. 

Given South Africa's staggering HIV/Aids infection rate, it is quite correct that government should make free condoms available.

But this does not change the argument that more needs to be done when it comes to the provision of free sanitary pads. 

Government has gone as far as making flavoured condoms available - mostly for the pleasure of a man. Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa made a big fuss about these in Parliament last year. 

Having sex is a choice, menstruation is not. 

Menstruation and school absenteeism

Free condoms have been given an upgrade while young girls miss school when they are on their period. 

The exact absenteeism rate is unclear. According to Africa Check there is no data to support the claims that the figure stands at 7 million. 

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Africa's first independent fact-checking organisation says in 2014, there were approximately 4 713 143 girls of menstruation age enrolled in school, with 3 770 514 of those girls attending no-fees school and therefore potentially unable to buy sanitary pads while menstruating.

It says available absenteeism data does not show that they stay home in numbers.

Meanwhile, in Gauteng efforts are being made to provide young girls with sanitary pads in schools. 

The ANC-led provincial government, in partnership with civil society, NGOs and the business community, launched the "Empower a Girl to Lead" campaign in August.

Gauteng premier David Makhura told pupils: "To all the young girls that come from poor families that cannot afford basic sanitary pads, I have good news for you, the Gauteng province is working together with its partners in ensuring that in the next two years starting from now, all girls will have access to free sanitary pads in all public schools in Gauteng."

In KwaZulu-Natal, the provincial government has launched a similar programme.

READ ALSO: KZN Education Department lauded for sanitary towel initiative

There is a clear need for national buy-in to provide free sanitary pads to girls in poorer communities. 

In 2016, the national department of basic education said there was just no budget to do such. 

Providing free sanitary towels is not just about ensuring young girls do not miss school. It's about protecting their dignity.