Eva, Sri Lanka’s market leader in high-quality feminine care products, joined forces with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRC) to launch an island-wide Menstrual Health and Hygiene Awareness Programme. Aimed at reaching schools across the island during 2025, this initiative seeks to equip students with vital knowledge while addressing stigmas surrounding menstruation. The launch event was held on the 9th of December 2024 at the Sri Lanka Red Cross premises in Colombo, marking the beginning of this transformative effort, setting the stage for a nationwide movement towards enabling awareness, knowledge, and inclusion.
The Eva-SLRC Menstrual Health & Hygiene Awareness Programme, conducted with the support of the Ministry of Education, represents a unified effort to transform societal attitudes toward menstruation. This initiative seeks to foster a culture where menstruation is celebrated as a symbol of health and vitality, rather than a source of shame. By engaging students through dynamic workshops, interactive discussions, and access to the right information, the programme aims to empower young individuals to view menstruation with confidence and dignity, promoting a new generation of understanding and acceptance.
Speaking at the launch event, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, Hon. Jagath Abeysinghe, stated, “Together with Eva, we are striving to reshape perceptions and build a future where young women can embrace menstruation with dignity and confidence. Taking an inclusive approach, we aim to maximise our reach and spread awareness about this important social issue.”
Additional Education Director – Administration at the Western Province Education Department, Ms. H. N. Perera added, “Education is not just about academics but understanding one another. This initiative addresses a pressing need for our youth, empowering both girls and boys to approach menstruation with sensitivity and respect.”
Mr. Suresh Srinivasan – Group CEO, Capital Maharaja Group, also commented, “Through this initiative, we hope to encourage women and girls to take pride in their femininity and approach womanhood with confidence. It will also drive better understanding and acceptance of menstruation as a natural and healthy biological process, empowering women to realise their true potential, unburdened by age-old stigmas.”
CEO of ICL Brands (Private) Limited, a company within the Capital Maharaja Group, Roni Chacko, shared the broader vision by stating “At Eva, we believe that education is key to empowering future generations, which is why we are equipping young people with accurate knowledge about their bodies and the natural changes that occur. Through initiatives like this, we can help eliminate the stigma and misinformation surrounding topics such as puberty, menstruation, and feminine hygiene. This initiative is part of our broader effort to create a more informed and supportive society for all Sri Lankans.”
As the flagship brand of ICL Brands (Pvt) Ltd., Eva has consistently led the Sri Lankan market for over 30 years with innovative products designed for maximum comfort and hygiene. Reaching over 10 million women across the island, Eva’s commitment to advancing menstrual education and promoting the wellbeing of women and girls is further strengthened through this initiative. By breaking taboos around menstruation, Eva is fostering open conversations and education, enabling women and children to reach their full potential free from societal stigma.
The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society functions as an auxiliary to the government in humanitarian endeavours, guided by its core values of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntarism, unity, and universality. Ensuring the welfare of communities across Sri Lanka during times of crisis and adversity, SLRC has partnered with Eva to drive meaningful change through education and awareness, furthering its mission to uplift and empower vulnerable communities.
Eva and SLRC invite schools, educators, and communities to join this movement, fostering a more inclusive and informed society.