The Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach (WCCO) will host their first”artivism” (combination of art and activism) event with two sanitary pads as the entrance fee. The event, a poetry evening, is a celebration of women and is themed: “Unapologetically feminine”. The organisers say they hope the entrance ‘fee” will help them collect 300 packs of sanitary pads for young girls in need.
Third year Environmental Sciences student and organiser of the event, Olebogeng Koatlhai, said the theme was inspired by receent events like #iamoneinthree campaign, the Amnesty International free pad campaign as well as Women’s day.
Koatlhai said “women should not feel ashamed or sorry for bleeding, they should feel proud, because it signifies being a woman,” she said.
The evening will also host poets Dr Thandokuhle Mngqibisa and Wits graduate, Bqusisiwe Mahlangu. Koalthlai said the event is an open mic event and those willing to come forward to recite their poetry will have to produce at least two packs of sanitary pads.
Apart from poetry, the night will also host pianists, a capella groups and invites all people to start a conversation on the women and male dynamics in our society.
Behind the paper 