Leading gym, Ignite Fitness, has partnered with MENstruation Foundation led by Siv Ngesi and Marius Basson to fight Period Poverty this Mandela Day. With ten gyms in South Africa, Ignite Fitness will be hosting a FREE open week effective 18 July 2022 (Mandela day) until the following Monday 25 July 2022. Members and non-members are all invited to attend training during this time period – with one big ask – Sanitary Pads get you in! “Our objective is to collect as many sanitary pads as possible; currently, 3 in 10 girls miss one week of school every month because they simply don’t have access to a basic human right – sanitary products! Siv is already a big supporter of Ignite Fitness; it just made sense for us to partner with him and spread the word for this amazing cause. Our CEO and founder, Schalk Hugo, has a teenage daughter, and he is incredibly passionate about keeping our girls safe, healthy and educated.” says Head of Marketing at Ignite Fitness, Kerry-Anne Mathieson.
“It was an absolute no-brainer for us to get involved with this initiative. We are incredibly proud to play host to this event and act as the drop-off brick and mortars for this incredible campaign. We cannot wait to see how many sanitary products we collect from all our gyms!” adds Schalk Hugo, CEO and Founder of Ignite Fitness.
The MENstruation Foundation is a nonprofit organisation that fights period poverty and gives women dignity! Girls in South Africa miss school and stay at home because of menstruation. The culture of silence around menstruation limits the ability of women and girls to participate in society equally. It undermines their social status and self-esteem. “We give women the right to go to school, to play sport, go to work and participate in life despite not being able to afford sanitary products. The MENstruation Foundation strives to create free access to sanitary pads for young women during their menstrual cycle. Approximately 22 million South African women have their period every month, with around 35% having to choose between a loaf of bread or a sanitary product. Over 4 million women in schools, varsities and sports clinics miss education and training for an average of 5 days per month because of the lack of access to sanitary products. Period Poverty disempowers too many women in our society.” says Marius Basson, co-founder of MENstruation Foundation.
The latest and most exciting initiative from MENstruation Foundation is their Sanitary Pad Vending Machine. Here, each schoolgirl receives one token that she can use to retrieve a pack of eight sanitary pads per month. Pads are locally manufactured and BioDegradable! “The more Sanitary pad Vending Machines we have available at schools, sanitary pads donated, and funds raised, the greater our opportunity to fight Period Poverty!” says Siv Ngesi.
With women-specific offerings, such as Womxn Wednesdays, Ignite Fitness has always been a huge ambassador for women’s strength – mental and physical. To celebrate this collaboration, they will be hosting their signature Arena class, The GAUNTLET, as an event dedicated to collecting sanitary pads for girls. The Gauntlet will be held at 18:00 on the 18th of July at every Ignite Fitness gym; “MEN are encouraged to attend and show support, as we are acutely aware that men play an important role in supporting this cause & campaign”, notes Kerry-Anne. “We look forward to seeing the incredible power harvested when people come together for the same cause!” she adds. The Gauntlet – which will challenge your mental and physical fortitude in a 60-minute workout of 3 specialised Arenas designed to push you to your limits. Experience the very latest functional training in Blood, Sweat & Tears, push the heart rate using High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) principles in Tread & Shred and build your fitness and combat skills in Rumble! Fit for all shapes, ages and fitness levels. Our Arena coaches will guide and assist you as we move through them.
If you have never been to Ignite Fitness, you can expect euphoric music, open spaces, the latest equipment and lighting. Whether you opt for a morning, lunch or evening session – it’s always a vibe!
Ignite Fitness Clubs include:
- Cape Town, St. George’s Mall
- Claremont, Stadium on Main
- Somerset West
- Milnerton, Centre Point Mall
- Rosebank, Rosebank Mall
- Southgate
- Menlyn, Menlyn Park Shopping Centre
- Randburg
- Walmer
- Greenacres
Ignite Fitness: It’s a gym–just more!