Free sanitary pads spark important conversations about SRHR
Using simple machines, a group of women in Sri Lanka has been given the opportunity to make their own sanitary pads while spreading important information about sexual and reproductive health. The Muslim Women's Research and Action Forum (MWRAF) is using the production as an entry point to educate young people about menstruation and dispel old myths. At the same time, they are fighting for the rights of Muslim women in a society where personal laws hinder gender equality.
Have you heard of Padman? He's an Indian entrepreneur who invented a low-cost machine to make sanitary pads. His small machines can produce pads for less than a third of the cost of commercial brands and have been a success in rural India. Recently, RFSU's partner organisation in Sri Lanka, MWRAF, bought a set of these machines from the Sinidu Foundation which has been collaborating with the Padmans organization and making these machines in Sri Lanka.
With raw material (cotton) also purchased from India, ten unemployed women were trained to produce biodegradable sanitary pads. Before long, production was in full swing. And here's the beauty of it: Using the distribution of free sanitary pads to schoolgirls as an entry point MWRAF has been able to visit schools and create awareness on sexual and reproductive health, especially menstrual health and hygiene.
Myths affect menstrual hygiene
Widespread norms, myths taboos, and misinformation around menstruation in Sri Lanka affect the menstrual hygiene of women and girls and undermine gender equality.
“Traditionally, menstruation is seen as something shameful, dirty and not spoken about in public, leading to harmful practices. There are a lot of myths about how you should behave during your period: you should not go out, you can't eat certain foods, and you can't burn or bury your sanitary pad because you might become infertile, etc,” says Shafinaz Hassendeen, Director of MWRAF.
These discussions with schoolgirls as well as marginalized women aim to break social stigma, dispel myths, and provide practical advice.
“We teach girls that maintaining a balanced diet during menstruation is important, that it’s perfectly fine to bathe during their period, and if they use cloth, it must be washed thoroughly between uses,” says project coordinator Mazeena Ilyas.
So far, MWRAF has trained 29 teachers who have disseminated the messages to 1,380 schoolgirls aged 14-16. Each has been given a pack of six sanitary pads, which is meant to last them through one period. Additionally, MWRAF has conducted Training of Trainers for 20 Civil Society Organization members and Women's Development Officers, who have further conveyed these messages to 700 community women.
Even if the girls and women cannot afford to continue using disposable sanitary pads, they have at least received information that will make their lives easier in the future. And MWRAF has plans in the near future to provide biodegradable pads to these schoolgirls and community women at below-market prices.
Funding challenges and Sustainability
While the program has had a significant impact, rising costs have created new challenges.
“Due to the collapse of the rupee and increased taxes, the price of raw materials (cotton) has gone up far more than we anticipated,” Mazeena Ilyas explains. “We are seeking additional funding and exploring possibilities of collaborating with like-minded organisations to sustain the project and continue offering these pads free of charge or at a very minimal cost.”
Breaking Barriers Beyond Menstrual Health
Making sanitary pads and talking about menstruation is just one of the many things MWRAF does as part of its SRHR-work. The 40-year-old organisation is run entirely by women and focuses on gender justice and equality, with a special emphasis on Muslim women. Promoting ethnic harmony, coexistence, peace, and reconciliation is another focus.
In Sri Lanka, there are both general laws and so-called personal laws on marriage and divorce that one is governed by depending on the community you belong to. MWRAF has been actively working for the last three decades to reform the discriminatory Muslim Personal Law (MPL) that allows forced and child marriage and limits women’s rights.
"We are also raising women's awareness on other laws such as the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act passed in 2005. And we work with young men and women to raise awareness of gender based violence, domestic violence and also enlighten them about laws relating to statutory rape ith the aim of reducing teenage pregnancies," says Shafinaz Hassendeen.
Partnerships That Drive Change
It is unclear how RFSU's support for MWRAF will look in the future. It depends on what happens with RFSU's cooperation agreement with SIDA. But MWRAF is grateful for what has been contributed so far.
“Our contacts, Ulrika Persson and Anna Rambe, have supported us incredibly. They review our proposals and give feedback, and when we encounter problems and need to change the plans, it's completely okay. They are both so understanding and so interested in what we do. RFSU is actually one of the best donors we have ever had!” says Shafinaz Hassendeen.
Text: Ulrika Hammar
Photos: MWRAF