Mama Flo
Introduction
Mama Flo was founded in 2020 to find short and long-term sustainable solutions to period poverty.
Category
Community Development & Human Rights
Community Development
Health & Wellness
Period Poverty Upliftment
About
Mama Flo's mission is to eradicate period poverty while educating and empowering young women, particularly in disadvantaged communities in South Africa, to reach their full potential. Our primary objective is to provide people who menstruate with access and agency to their period freedom, free period education and free period products.
Period poverty is a critical issue in South Africa, disproportionately affecting women in disadvantaged communities. Many young women miss up to five days of school each month due to a lack of access to sanitary products, severely hindering their educational prospects and perpetuating cycles of poverty. The impact of period poverty extends beyond educational setbacks: it affects the overall well-being, confidence, and future opportunities of these young women.
Mama Flo, an independent project of the Union of Jewish Women Cape Town, was established in 2020 to address this pressing challenge. As a result of this affiliation, we can utilise the NPO status and support of the UJW.
Key Components of Our Strategy:
- Educational Workshops: Hosted in schools and community centres, these workshops teach menstrual health and hygiene, challenge stigmas, discuss taboos and myths, and empower young women to advocate for their needs. Participants also receive reusable or single-use pads, giving them the agency to choose the products that suit them.
- Pad Distribution:Â We provide both reusable and single-use pads to offer immediate relief. Reusable pads last up to five years ( there are four in the box that we currently supply), offering a sustainable solution to period poverty.
- Ambassador & Mentorship Programme: We train young women from the communities we serve to lead workshops, run pad handouts, and advocate for menstrual health. These ambassadors are integral to our strategy, serving as community leaders who ensure our programmes remain relevant and effective.
- Bro Flo Initiative: Engaging boys and men in conversations about menstruation is crucial for reducing the stigma surrounding periods. Through this initiative, we aim to foster a supportive environment where menstruation is seen as a natural part of life.
Bro Flo:
Mama Flo was founded by women, for women, with a mission to provide access to period education, products, and the freedom that every woman deserves. But along this journey, we have not been alone. The incredible men in our lives-our fathers, brothers, boyfriends, friends, fellow communities and allies-have played a crucial role in supporting and uplifting our cause. That's why we are proud to introduce hashtag BROFLO, a celebration of the men who stand with us in the fight for period equity. A celebration of the men who let women shine.
Men have always been a part of our story, whether they knew it or not. From fathers who learned about period products to better support their daughters, to brothers who challenged the stigma around menstruation in their own circles, the brothers who had no choice but to hear about Mama Flo all the time, to partners who made sure their girlfriends had access to the products they needed-these men have been champions of change. Their support is not just important; it is essential.
At Mama Flo, we believe that achieving period freedom is a collective effort. The involvement of men doesn't just compliment our mission; it amplifies it. With their support, we can continue to break barriers, educate more people, and ensure that every woman has the products and knowledge she needs.
Bro Flo for Mama Flo is our way of saying thank you to the men who already stand beside us, and an invitation to all men to join the movement. Please tag the men in your life who you'd love to get behind Bro Flo for Mama Flo!
Together, we can create a world where period freedom is a reality for every woman. The sale of our new range of Bro Flo for Mama Flo hats will launch this week as we continue to share some men who have already gotten behind Bro Flo for Mama Flo.
NPO / NGO / PBO Number
000777
Physical Address
Cape Town, South Africa
Coverage Area
Western Cape
Contact Information
Laurie Shone
mamaflocapetown@gmail.com
https://mamaflosa.my.canva.site/mamaflocapetown
Social Media
How the Public Can Help
Donate
Fundraise
Share
Current Needs / Wish List
There are many ways to support Mama Flo and help us continue our work, but we are ALWAYS in need of period products and monetary donations.
You can donate period products to ensure those in need have access to essential supplies, or support us by purchasing pledged reusable pads, which we are able to source and distribute. You can also run collections, collectathons, or fundraising events in honour of Mama Flo to make a meaningful impact. Financial donations are always welcome and help cover our ongoing operational costs, allowing us to sustain and grow our programmes.
All details on how to donate can be found on our website. If you would like to organise a collection, collectathon, or event, please contact us via email or through our social media channels.
Donation Links
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/JHfJmUIZ
^ Use Mama Flo as reference
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/mamaflo-fundraiser
Banking Details:
South Africa
Account Name: Union of Jewish Women
Bank: FNB
Account Number: 62893416191
Reference: Mama Flo
Admin & Management
Date Organisation Was Established
June 2020
Organisation Structure
Non-Profit Organisation
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