Only 30% of Sri Lankan women use sanitary napkins: Study

• Selected schools to receive free sanitary napkin packs  

By Pranavesh Sivakumar   

Only 30% of the 4.2 million menstruating women in Sri Lanka regularly use sanitary napkins, highlighting a critical gap in menstrual hygiene awareness and access across the country.   

This was revealed during the official Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony of the expansive menstrual health and hygiene education program, ‘Api Katha Karamu’ (Let’s Talk or Naangal Kathaippom), rolled out by Fems, a feminine hygiene brand.   

The programme reaches all nine provinces and targets more than 180,000 students across 180 schools.   

According to a joint study conducted by WaterAid and the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia, 60% of parents in Sri Lanka do not allow their daughters to attend school during their periods, while 37% of schoolgirls reportedly miss one to two days of school each month due to menstruation.   

Since 2021, Fems has carried out menstrual hygiene education programmes reaching over 300,000 females, including school students, plantation workers, prison inmates, and workplace employees. The sessions aim to address the lack of menstrual education and reduce stigma, while encouraging healthy hygiene practices.   

Managing Director of Hemas Consumer Brands, Sabrina Esufally, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to long-term change in menstrual health education.   

“We believe there is an urgent need in Sri Lanka for comprehensive menstrual health education and support. This partnership strengthens Fems’ unwavering commitment to break down stigmas and provide knowledge and resources to Sri Lanka’s school students,” she said.   

She added, “We hope to create lasting change that enables young women to take charge of their well-being and rise above the challenges they face.”   

As part of the programme, selected schools will also receive free sanitary napkin packs to ensure better access to menstrual products among students.   

The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, United Communities Guarantee Ltd, and with the support of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.   

The new partnerships are expected to further strengthen the ongoing efforts to normalise conversations around menstruation and empower Sri Lankan girls to manage their periods with dignity and confidence.