Fitness: Flow Forward Africa takes on Kilimanjaro to fight period poverty

Kilimanjaro may be Africa’s highest mountain, but for girls without reliable access to menstrual products, education and safe facilities, simply staying in school can present another kind of uphill battle. Liezel van der Westhuizen, fitness presenter, endurance athlete and burnout & mental fitness coach, joins Africa Melane on CapeTalk and 702 to explore the Flow Forward Africa Kilimanjaro initiative and how an extraordinary physical challenge is being used to start a much bigger conversation about period poverty, menstrual dignity and access to education. The issue extends beyond access to sanitary products. UNICEF reports that menstrual-health barriers can include inadequate information, facilities, water, sanitation and the stigma surrounding menstruation. Across sub-Saharan Africa, only 12% of schools provide menstrual materials either free or for purchase, according to UNICEF and WHO data. Liezel explores what endurance sport can teach us about social change: you don't conquer a mountain in one giant leap. You do it one determined step at a time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.