Breaking down sexual health barriers in Soweto South Africa
Zilla Stekhoven : Founder of Sawabona Africa e.V. with Thembi Mahlunga and Winnie Mphafudi, PYMA staff
Many girls and women around the world suffer from the taboo surrounding sexuality, sexual health and sexual violence. They are left alone with questions about puberty, menstruation, contraception and gender-based violence. They often lack the knowledge and financial means to buy hygiene products or contraceptives. The consequences: Girls stay away from school during their periods and the rate of teenage pregnancies is high. In this blog, we show how PYMA in Soweto, South Africa, supported by Sawabona Africa, fights stigmatization and taboo with sexual health workshops, provides girls with urgently needed hygiene products and thus enables them to attend school regularly.
Globally, 650 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to sexual violence as children. This includes 1 in 8 who have experienced rape or sexual assault in childhood. 1 Sub Saharan Africa (including South Africa) ranks high on this list.
In Freedom Park Soweto, home of PYMA the reality faced by young women is no different and the impact is far reaching. We take a closer look into the real issues facing young women attending the afterschool programme and what we are doing to address this.
Breaking the Silence on Period Poverty
In communities around Soweto, many young girls are forced to stay home during their menstrual cycle because they cannot afford sanitary products. Period poverty affects their confidence, education, and overall well-being. Without access to basic hygiene, they fall behind in school, feel isolated, and struggle with their self-esteem.
Our sexual health workshops aim to break the silence around menstruation and provide education and resources. By offering sanitary products and addressing the shame attached to menstruation, we are helping young women take control of their health and dignity and to attend school.
Overcoming Bullying and Body Image Challenges
Bullying is a painful reality for many young girls in Soweto. Whether it’s based on body image, personal hygiene, or social standing, bullying chips away at their self-esteem and often forces them into isolation. The effects of this social exclusion are long-lasting, leading to anxiety and a loss of confidence.
Our workshops don’t just focus on sexual health; they also emphasize self-worth, body positivity, and respectful peer interactions. By creating safe spaces where girls can share their stories, we are fostering a supportive community that celebrates individuality. Every young girl deserves to feel valued, no matter what she looks like.
The Hidden Crisis of Early Sexual Relationships
Peer pressure and the cultural environment in some parts of Soweto push many young women into early sexual relationships, exposing them to a range of sexual health risks. This pressure can lead to unplanned pregnancies, Sexually Transmitted Infections and emotional trauma.
The Workshops provide vital education on consent, safe sex, and the importance of making informed decisions. By equipping young women with knowledge, we empower them to set boundaries and protect their futures. Every girl has the right to make choices about her own body without feeling coerced. Young men in the community also attend workshops educating them about women’s rights and impulse control.
Combating Misinformation in Sexual Health
The stigma around sexual health in many communities leads to misinformation and harmful behaviors. In some cases, girls are afraid to seek out accurate information due to fear of judgment or backlash from their families or peers. This gap in knowledge puts them at greater risk of poor sexual health outcomes.
The purpose of the workshops is to dispel myths and promote accurate, open discussions around sexual health. We offer young women the tools to make informed decisions, ensuring that they have a clear understanding of their bodies and health. When we break down taboos, we help build healthier, more confident communities and an opportunity to talk to a social worker when a young girl needs counselling.
Balancing Domestic Responsibilities and Education
Many young girls in Soweto are expected to take on household chores and care for younger siblings, which limits their time and energy for school and to do homework. This imbalance hinders their academic performance and personal growth, making it difficult for them to envision a future beyond their immediate responsibilities.
Through our workshops, we not only address sexual health but also focus on life skills and goal setting. We want to help these girls prioritize their education, develop self-advocacy, and build the confidence to pursue their dreams.
Education the key to change lives
Through empowering the girls and boys who attend PYMA we can work together to change the dialogue, create a safe space to talk about issues that are mostly taboo in their communities. Empowering girls is only one part of the solution, young boys must be taught at an early age to understand rights of women, and how to exercise restraint, and that no means no. Most importantly, education should be a priority for every girl, no matter what she faces at home, she should be empowered to attend school, have a voice to say no, and be given the best chance to grow and succeed to her full potential, and we are working on changing this for the young minds at PYMA.
Join us at Sawabona Africa and support these young women, by donating to PYMA, we can continue to host more workshops and touch more lives!
- Unicef: When Numbers Demand Action:
Confronting the global scale
of sexual violence against children
