Period Poverty Relief Project Sri Lanka

This Period Poverty Relief Project by Emflower is in partnership with Global Hand Charity, Edith Cowan University students, Women's Centre Sri Lanka and Rotary Club of Badulla, Sri Lanka.

A lack of education and menstruation resources results in female students missing school, falling behind in their studies and consequently dropping out of school altogether, continuing the cycle of period poverty.

HOW WE PLAN TO IMPROVE THE MENSTRUAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS IN SRI LANKA:

In April 2024, volunteers from Emflower and Global Hand Charity will be travelling to Sri Lanka to offer relief to school-aged students in the regional communities of Badulla.

Approximately 550 x students across 10 schools will receive a menstrual health kit including 2 x pairs of bamboo period underwear, an educational guide about menstruation and sanitation products.

The Menstrual Educational Guide was curated by ECU PRAC students through the Practera University Program as part of their Sustainable Impact initiative.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

We are raising funds for several of the ECU PRAC students to come on the trip to Sri Lanka so they can witness the major impact their guide has on these underprivileged students from poverty-stricken communities.

Your donation will go towards the cost of flights, transportation and accommodation for ECU PRAC students, allowing them to participate and gain real-world experience.

The Rotary Club of Badulla, Sri Lanka will closely monitor the outcomes from this project to gain valuable insights into the uptake of reusable menstrual products, as well as feedback about the Menstrual Educational Guide from the participating students.

WHY ENDING PERIOD POVERTY IS IMPORTANT:

"Period poverty" refers to the inability of a woman to attain the resources to manage their menstruation in a dignified and safe manner.

20-37% of school-aged girls in Sri Lanka miss school during their menstrual cycle.

(Menstrual Hygiene Day, 2021)

25.4% of Sri Lankan women have experienced menstrual health issues, as a result of period poverty, however, only 12.6% have sought medical attention.

18.2% of Sri Lankan women have utilised old clothing as sanitary products.

A positive association exists between inadequate menstrual hygiene resources and low education, income, productivity and cultural shame.

(Hettiarachchi et al., 2023)

We appreciate you taking the time to read about our cause, and thank you kindly for your donation towards our Period Poverty Relief Project.

If you could please share this link with your friends and family to help us spread awareness, we would greatly appreciate it.

Kind regards,

Jessica

Emflower