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Namibian musicians Ms Gideon and Lioness have joined forces with Pewa Care Humanitarian as brand ambassadors for the organisation’s Project 10K initiative. The project aims to help 10 000 schoolgirls in rural Namibia overcome the barriers of period poverty. The campaign, titled ‘Exam Packs’, seeks to ensure that girls can sit for their final examinations with confidence and dignity. It forms part of Pewa Care’s broader effort to address the lack of access to sanitary products that continues to affect thousands of Namibian schoolgirls. According to the organisation’s founder, Ndapewa Ndongo, the campaign is about more than just providing pads. “Through this campaign, we can raise funds and provide sanitary pads to the most vulnerable children in the northern regions, with distribution starting this month,” she says. “This is about giving these girls the confidence and peace of mind to succeed in their examinations.” The project has received support from the education ministry and targets five rural communities, each expected to benefit about 2 000 girls. As part of their ambassadorial roles, the two artists will produce short videos to raise awareness and call for public and corporate donations towards Project 10K. They will also highlight the ongoing struggle of period poverty and its link to school absenteeism and poor performance among girls. Lioness says the campaign resonated deeply with her as a woman and mentor. “Period poverty is something that many of our girls silently deal with, so learning about Project 10K and the ‘Exam Packs’ campaign moved me. Education and dignity should never be considered a luxury for any girl or child,” she says. “Providing sanitary products is only one part of addressing period poverty – it’s also about restoring dignity, self-esteem and hope to all Namibian women.” Ms Gideon echoes these sentiments, saying the campaign empowers girls to feel confident during exams and beyond. “I feel so lucky to be part of such a project that has the potential to transform lives, especially among the youth,” she adds. “School pressure, peer pressure and home pressures all affect young girls’ well-being, and we must make sanitary care affordable and accessible to everyone.”
