Top business forum reveals:

Two thirds of menstruating women in SL are non-users of sanitary pads

by Sanath Nanayakkare

National level data pertaining to the use of proper commercial sanitary pads by menstruating women in Sri Lanka shows only about a third of the menstruating female population uses feminine hygiene products, thus causing concern. Two thirds of menstruating women population use alternative methods to absorb menstrual fluids.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that as high as 90% of menstruating female workers on tea estates don’t use sanitary pads during their menstrual cycles.

These observations were made by Hemas FMCG and MJF charity foundation of Dilmah Tea at a forum in Colombo on Monday where State Minster Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle was the keynote speaker.

Hemas’ Fems joined forces with the ARKA initiative, Dilmah’s Merrill J. Fernando Charity Foundation, Sarvodaya Women’s Movement and Sarvodaya-Fusion to educate a wider audience of Sri Lankan women on menstrual health and iron out the long-held myths and misconceptions.

While addressing the knowledge gap, this initiative intends to encourage women to use sanitary napkins as researches have found out that majority of menstruating women are non-users of sanitary napkins.

Speaking to the The Island Financial Review CEO Dilmah Dilhan Fernando said that a survey conducted by MJF foundation of Dilmah Tea has found that as high as 90% of menstruating female workers on tea estates don’t use sanitary pads during their menstrual cycles.

Meanwhile, Sriyan de Silva Wijeyaratne, Hemas MD FMCG told the IFR that available data on the adoption of proper health practices by menstruating women in Sri Lanka is not ‘worth talking about’ especially as Sri Lanka boasts a progressive period of 73 years since its Independence.

“If you look at how many women are using feminine menstrual hygiene products on a regular basis, we are referring to about one third of the menstruating women population. Even on an adhoc basis, the usage is less than two thirds of the category. However, having said that, more than two thirds of menstruating women in Sri Lanka should have no problem spending about Rs. 100 on sanitary napkins. That is why we are saying that this is not just a matter of affordability. In fact, this highlights the need for a combination of having good quality affordable products in the market and having the right education and awareness to use them. We have to bring the topic out and have a no-holds-barred dialogue on this. Such a candid dialogue will set the women free. That is why we launched the new sanitary napkin via an initiative for women empowerment on International Women’s Day, rather than just launch a product saying, look, we have a cheap product.”

Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle, State Minister of Primary Healthcare, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control responding to a question posed by IFR said, “We want to see all menstruating schoolgirls get sanitary napkins for free. But we can’t do this alone as a state-owned company doesn’t manufacture the item. We need the support of the private sector to make it a reality”.

Alongside the nationwide initiative, Fems launched a new sanitary napkin aiming to equip Sri Lankan women with an affordable napkin solution. Manufactured using a soft cotton top sheet to provide maximum comfort to the user, Fems Aya napkin will soon be available in the market for an affordable price.