The Springboks Player Advocates for Ending Period Poverty

Babalwa Latsha Leads a Crucial Campaign

Babalwa Latsha has not only made headlines for her contribution to South Africa’s remarkable journey in the Women’s Rugby World Cup—by helping the team advance past the pool stage for the first time—but she is also focused on a significant cause off the field: combating period poverty in her country.

At 31 years old and with roots in the Khayelitsha township of Cape Town, Latsha shares her personal experiences to highlight the urgency of the issue. “Understanding what it’s like to be in need, I recognize the desperation that comes with it. It impacts your dignity as a human,” she expressed in an interview with BBC World Service’s Newsday.

She expanded on her experiences, noting, “I’ve witnessed directly what our sisters endure during their periods, both at home and even while competing in sports.” Latsha emphasized the discomfort of trying to compete without proper protection, an issue that many women face.

Latsha holds the role of a director at the MENstruation Foundation, a non-profit organization striving to provide free sanitary pads to every woman in South Africa in a sustainable manner. The organization reports that around eight million women in the country lack access to affordable sanitary products, including half of those who are still in school or pursuing higher education.

“The figures are shocking,” Latsha remarked, revealing, “Young women often resort to using rags, old towels, or toilet paper to manage their periods, leading to a multitude of health complications.” She highlighted that just 120 rand (approximately $6.85) can provide a woman with sanitary products for an entire year through the foundation’s efforts.

Sport as a Catalyst for Change

Tackling menstrual health taboos remains a critical challenge across Africa, where women’s sports continue to be shrouded in silence. A recent study by FIFA in 2023 unearthed that around 35% of female soccer players in Africa sometimes resort to makeshift sanitary products like old rags.

“We must eliminate the stigma associated with menstruation,” Latsha advocated. “It’s high time we recognize that it’s a natural process, not something to be ashamed of. Our objective is to ensure that every girl continues her education and remains active in sports because she has access to free sanitary products. It’s utterly unfair for a girl to miss classes due to her period, and our aim is to completely eradicate period poverty in Southern Africa.”

Latsha broke new ground as Africa’s first professional 15-a-side rugby player after joining Eibar Rugby Taldea in Spain in January 2020. As women’s rugby gains momentum across the continent, she is eager to leverage her platform to uplift others and instigate positive societal changes. “Sports provide us with opportunities that we would not usually have, giving us a voice,” she explained. “My advocacy for such an essential cause is crucial; sports are a powerful vehicle for change.”

Advancements with the Women’s Boks

In terms of performance, South Africa made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, achieving this milestone by winning their pool matches against Brazil and Italy. Previously, the Women’s Boks lost all their matches in the 2021 tournament and did not qualify for the 2017 finals.

Their achievements contrast sharply with the South African men’s team, which boasts four Rugby World Cup titles. “The momentum has shifted, and we’re hopeful for a future where women’s rugby is recognized as a fully professional entity in South Africa,” Latsha remarked. “Businesses are beginning to understand that supporting women’s sports makes good financial sense—a notion that was rarely acknowledged a decade ago.”

However, Latsha cautioned against getting ahead of herself: “We need to focus on our present and ensure that each performance counts.” As they prepare to face New Zealand in the quarter-finals, Latsha, with her team’s determination, looks ahead, believing that the ongoing development in the women’s game is promising.

“The progress and efforts since the last World Cup have been monumental,” she noted. “We are finally seeing the fruits of our labor, with new barriers being dismantled and pathways created. It’s inspiring to observe the growth of various teams, and as the tide rises, so too do all boats.”