Title: Towards Zero Period Poverty: Establishing a sustainable sanitary napkin production facility in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Despite Sri Lanka’s high economic growth in the last decade, over 50% of menstruating women – approximately 2.9 million individuals - face significant barriers in accessing affordable menstrual hygiene products. The 2019 economic crisis intensified the issue as the poverty rate doubled from 13% to 25%. High taxes, import cost, and limited availability further hindered the affordability and access. Cultural stigma, taboos and shame around menstruation exacerbated these challenges, affecting women’s personal hygiene and health, absenteeism from school, impacting education and future opportunities for girls, and absence from work, leading to decreased workforce participation of women, affecting broader economic implications for the families and communities.

Previous tax concessions have not mitigated the high inflation rates, keeping menstrual products prices high. NGOs often carry out short-term interventions, such as distributing reusable menstrual products, that lack sustainability or a long-term vision as they don’t account for local cultural context, where stigma prevents proper use. Short term solutions such as one-time donation of single-use pads, leave the women in the same situation once supplies run out. Furthermore, many of these interventions are not accompanied with awareness programmes.

To address these issues, this project proposes the establishing of a low-cost, biodegradable sanitary napkin production facility in Sri Lanka. This would make sanitary napkins more accessible, affordable and environmentally sustainable. The project will include awareness campaigns to educate local communities on menstrual health and hygiene, while challenging existing stigmas and myths. This project would create job, reduce the environmental impact of menstruation, and empower women through increased knowledge and community support.