Banyana Banyana partners with Stayfree to tackle menstrual health in women's football

Banyana Banyana has teamed up with Stayfree in a groundbreaking initiative to redefine the conversation around women's football and menstrual health.

The collaboration, which was unveiled on Friday morning during a breakfast event at the SAFA headquarters in Nasrec, Soweto, seeks to address an often-overlooked aspect of female athletes' performance—menstrual health.

Under the campaign platform #KeepingThemLockedIn, the initiative marks a significant step toward removing barriers female players face in the quest for sporting excellence.

Key figures in South African football, including SAFA vice president Natasha Tsichlas, SAFA's head of women's football, Dawn Lubisi and Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis, gathered to highlight the importance of this innovative partnership.

"When women trust their pad, they are free to focus on their performance," Tsichlas stated, emphasising that for many girls in sport, managing menstrual health remains an unspoken challenge. She posited that addressing this issue is crucial in creating equitable conditions that encourage success.

Stayfree will provide Banyana Banyana players with pads crafted using the brand’s 8-Hour LeakLock Technology to ensure their comfort, allowing them to concentrate on their game rather than concerns about their menstrual cycle. T

his partnership not only supports the national team but also extends to women and girls throughout South Africa. Through community initiatives and product donations, Stayfree aims to help women participate in football while accessing quality menstrual products.

The partnership introduces the Goals 4 Pads initiative, where for every goal scored by Banyana Banyana, Stayfree will donate 1,000 packs of sanitary pads to nominated schools, football academies, and organisations that support women and girls.

This innovative approach not only promotes awareness of menstrual health but also reinforces the importance of women's football in South Africa.

"It is not just about us [Banyana Banyana], but extends to the wider community, especially the parents and young girls who cannot afford menstrual products," Ellis explained.

The team’s goals will translate into tangible support for many young women aspiring to play sports, providing them with essential products that might otherwise be out of reach. Together, the partnership seeks to eliminate the stigma surrounding menstrual health and ensure that athletes can perform at their best.

Astrid Stealey, managing director of Kenvue South Africa, the maker of Stayfree, echoed the sentiments expressed by Ellis and Tsichlas. “Women's football has reached an incredible level of professionalism,” she remarked.

“Yet, very few people talk about the role that pads play in helping athletes perform at their best. As the official sponsor of Banyana Banyana, we want to help change that conversation.”

With this partnership, Banyana Banyana and Stayfree aim not only to enhance the lives of female athletes but also to inspire future generations of girls to pursue their dreams in football and beyond, armed with the knowledge that their menstrual health is being prioritised.