The feminine hygiene brand Fems continues supporting Thilinapath, a government initiative providing free sanitary products to schoolgirls nationwide, while also addressing education, awareness, and waste management gaps.
Nearly one million schoolgirls across approximately 6,100 government and government-assisted schools in Sri Lanka now have access to free menstrual hygiene products through Thilinapath, a Ministry of Education programme launched in June 2024. Fems, a leading feminine hygiene brand under Hemas Consumer Brands, has partnered with the government initiative from its inception to provide schoolgirls in Grade 6 and above with a full year's supply of sanitary napkins at no cost, allowing them to choose their preferred brand and product variant.
Beyond product distribution, Fems has addressed broader barriers to menstrual health through educational initiatives. The "Api Katha Karamu" (Let's Talk) Menstrual Health and Hygiene Education Programme has conducted awareness sessions in schools since 2021, reaching over 250,000 schoolgirls with information delivered by qualified medical professionals. These sessions aim to normalise conversations about menstruation and provide practical guidance on period management and hygiene practices.
The initiative also tackles the often-overlooked challenge of sanitary waste disposal. Through the Purple Bin project, developed with guidance from the Central Environmental Authority, Fems has introduced dedicated collection bins in schools paired with educational sessions on their proper use. These bins are serviced by Sisili Hanaro Encare, an approved waste management operator, ensuring environmentally responsible disposal.
According to Sachini Gamage, General Manager of Marketing at Hemas Consumer Brands, the comprehensive approach recognises that schoolgirls face multiple barriers beyond product affordability, including limited menstrual health awareness, social stigma, and inadequate school facilities. The combined efforts through Thilinapath and related programmes represent an effort to provide schoolgirls with the access, education, and infrastructure needed to manage menstruation with confidence and dignity.
