Her right to bleed with dignity

Clean start for every girl

- BY ZANITA CAREEM

In Sri Lanka, mensuration is still surrounded by silence and whispered in corners and wrapped in euphemisms.

Despite advances in education and health, the so-called period stigma and misinformation still affect thousands of girls and women particularly in rural areas. But one brand is boldly stepping in to change the narrative Fems has emerged not as a brand but as a powerful voice for change. Their partnership with the Red Cross and local health workers help ensure that these conversations are happening where they matter most in homes, schools and rural communities.

At a press conference held recently, at the Red Cross office, Dr. Sidath Nanayakkara Head of Programmes, Sri Lanka Red Cross Society emphasised how their campaign 'Api Katha Karamu' (Let's talk) had made plans to overcome this stigma and to recognise that menstrual health is a fundamental right, a matter of dignity and discretion. In many communities across Sri Lanka and South Asia, mensuration was still wrapped in silence, shame and misinformation, he said. For millions of girls and women, this natural cycle becomes a source of embarrassment, restricted movement and missed opportunity. But Fems, a leading hygiene brand has implemented an expansive menstrual health and hygiene education programme covering nine provinces across 180 schools and reaching over 180,000 students. This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, uniting communities with the support from the Ministry of Health and Minister of Education.