Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has highlighted the pain and distress silently endured by women due to societal stigma about menstruation, emphasising the need to address this matter to protect women from this situation.
PM Amarasuriya made these remarks while addressing the “Period Proud 2025” conference held in Colombo under the project titled “Collective Action Against Period Poverty (CAAPP).”
Addressing the event, the Prime Minister said menstruation should not be something women need to be ashamed of, as it is a natural biological process, emphasising that menstrual health and period poverty are not merely health issues but matters that are closely connected to dignity, equality, and human rights.
PM Amarasuriya pointed out that according to a recent survey conducted in the regions of Trincomalee, Kandy, and Colombo, a significant number of schoolgirls are forced to miss school due to a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products and that many women are resorting to unsafe alternatives, which creates a highly dangerous situation.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister said that due to the prevailing societal stigma about menstrual health, many women suffer in silence and that this situation needs to be changed, along with an introduction to a systematic and prompt plan to ensure that menstruation does not interfere with anyone’s health, education, or dignity.
The Prime Minister noted that the Ministry of Education has already implemented a program to provide free sanitary products to all schoolgirls over the age of 13, with special attention given to girls from low-income families. She emphasised that it is her personal belief that no girl should be denied the right to education because of her period.
PM Amarasuriya also mentioned that the possibility of implementing a program to distribute reusable sanitary pads starting next year is being considered. She further acknowledged that there have been requests to remove all taxes on feminine hygiene products and that although some progress has been made, achieving success will require comprehensive policies and reforms.
PM Harini Amarasuriya added that discussions are currently taking place with the Ministry of Finance regarding the removal of taxes and that the support of civil society and the private sector is expected to move this initiative forward.
The event was attended by the French Ambassador Rémy Lambeau, representatives from the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka and social activists. (Newswire)
