Latest news with #hygienePoverty
The Herald
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald
Shoprite introduces R5 toiletries to take on hygiene poverty in SA
Shoprite has expanded its R5 basket of goods to include essential toiletries. This is in response to a study which found that more than 14-million people in South Africa — one in five — are affected by hygiene poverty, which encompasses both inadequate sanitation infrastructure and limited access or affordability of essential items such as soap, shampoo, menstrual and oral care products. 'Following significant investment into extensive product development, Shoprite is adding a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner as well as a body wash to its growing range of R5 products. 'Both items are sold as concentrates in 50ml sachets and, when diluted with 150ml water, make enough to last for up to 20 washes . This works out to about 25c per wash,' Shoprite said. In 2021, Shoprite launched a R5 pack of sanitary pads to ease the financial burden of menstrual hygiene and to help keep young girls in school, with zero price increase since on this product to date. 'No-one should have to choose between having food to eat and maintaining basic hygiene,' said Renaldo Phillips, general manager for private label and imports at the Shoprite Group. Phillips said access to hygiene products was not a luxury but a fundamental human right. 'That is why we are committed to developing the best possible products at the lowest possible prices.' According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Unicef, hygiene poverty can severely affect health, dignity and self-esteem. With the rising cost of living, many families are struggling to afford basic necessities, including everyday hygiene and grooming products. 'With our range of R5 toiletries, Shoprite wants to help communities maintain their dignity,' Phillips said. With the exception of sanitary pads, which became VAT exempt in April 2019, all other personal hygiene items including soap, toothpaste and deodorant continue to be taxed at the standard VAT rate. This makes the introduction of Shoprite's R5 toiletries — which helps to bridge the affordability gap for those who need it most — all the more important. Shoprite said e very week, it subsidised over 1.8-million R5 products, which were available to customers every single day, at every one of its supermarkets nationwide. Its growing basket of R5 products now include: a 600g brown bread, unchanged in price since April 2016; takeaway meals, including a protein-rich ox liver burger; sanitary pads; shampoo and conditioner; and body wash. 'To many, a R5 coin may not seem like much any more, but it's important to remember that it can still feed a person and now help to maintain personal hygiene. More than just a small change, it is a symbol of hope,' Phillips said. TimesLIVE
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Four children in every British classroom are living in hygiene poverty
Four children in every British classroom are living in hygiene poverty, according to research. A major report has found 21 per cent of affected kids don't play with others because they're worried about what they might think. 2 2 The issue affects 14 per cent of children across Great Britain in total, with 20 per cent of these going without essentials like toothpaste or deodorant, on a monthly basis. According to A Clean Start in Life, a report delivered in partnership with Children North East, almost 350,000 children can't always get to school due to not having a clean school uniform. The study surveyed 1073 children aged 6-15 and was commissioned by charity in Kind Direct. Their CEO Michael Gidney said: "Children are sharing toothbrushes, worrying about standing out at school for the wrong reasons and families are having to choose between eating and keeping clean – impossible choices no one should have to face. 'As well as surveying young people online, we spoke directly to children across England who told us hygiene poverty is damaging childhoods, and no one should feel embarrassed to ask for help. 'Our immersive 'Not a Choice' campaign at Bluewater shopping centre aims to bring this hidden crisis into a public space, where we all engage with hygiene products daily. 'By amplifying the voices of children and real experiences in the shopping centre restrooms, we hope to create a moment of reflection for visitors before asking them to help us end hygiene poverty.' Until May 11, visitors to the Bluewater shopping centre's restrooms, a space where hygiene essentials are often taken for granted, will hear voices and experiences of children having to face uncomfortable choices every day, such as skipping PE out of fear of being called smelly. It is hoped the voices will encourage shoppers to stop, listen and take action to help end hygiene poverty for the 1.1m children living in it. The report went on to find 26 per cent of children living in hygiene poverty suffer from low self-confidence, and 17 per cent have felt embarrassed and ashamed. Nearly a fifth (15 per cent) of children battling it have had to share individual-use products like a toothbrush with their family, with 16 per cent having to wear the same clothes for multiple days in a row. Just under one in 10 (nine per cent) have also faced issues with bullying related to their lack of hygiene products. Further in-person sessions were conducted with 103 children and young people aged 5-18 (or up to 25 for some with special needs), to gather their experience of hygiene poverty. Meetings were designed by Children North East, and were held in the North East, East and West Midlands, London and the South West, in schools, colleges, youth and sports clubs. Leigh Elliott, CEO at Children North East, said: 'The shame and stigma attached to wearing a dirty school uniform or having greasy hair can be an unbearable burden for our children and young people. 'This research, along with our Poverty Proofing consultations with thousands of UK pupils, reveal that an increasing number of children are facing this reality. 'Every baby, child and young person should be able to live a happy, healthy childhood, yet children have told us hygiene poverty is impacting their mental health and school attendance. 'By lifting families out of poverty, we can help protect young lives from the lasting impacts of not being able to access everyday necessities. 'Children North East is proud to have worked in partnership with In Kind Direct to conduct this research with children and young people, and we hope their voices will drive meaningful change.'
