#BleedGood: Selyn Foundation initiative to tackle period poverty

The Selyn Foundation proudly unveiled its flagship  #BleedGood initiative on March 14th, at an event titled "Bound by Blood" held at BMICH's Mihilaka Madhura.

#BleedGood involves the distribution of reusable pads, along with educational workshops being held; the collaborative effort of multiple stakeholders passionate about making a difference to women.

Speaking at the launch, Sandra Wanduragala, the founder of Selyn and the Selyn Foundation said, “"Our mission goes beyond mere philanthropy; it's about igniting tangible, lasting change in the lives of women within our communities and building a larger movement around it.”

“We've witnessed firsthand the silent struggles endured by countless women, grappling with the harsh realities of period poverty with limited access to essential menstrual hygiene products or basic knowledge about their Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights. With #BleedGood, the flagship initiative of the Selyn Foundation, our commitment extends far beyond simply distributing pads; it's about equipping women with the tools, knowledge, and unwavering support necessary to reclaim ownership of their reproductive health and well-being.”

At its heart lies the innovative Selyn reusable pad, a product manufactured and tested to international quality standards offering up to two years of menstrual hygiene solutions. This game-changing initiative aims not only to alleviate the financial and emotional burden of period poverty, but also empowers the community of rural artisan women who make the pads within Selyn’s fair trade social enterprise fold. 

"Period poverty casts a shadow over the lives of millions of women globally, robbing them of their dignity and basic rights. It's a multifaceted issue deeply rooted in systemic inequalities and societal stigmas. A Selyn Foundation, we refuse to turn a blind eye to this pervasive injustice. We have created the #BleedGood initiative, collaborating with many partners for its implementation, to build a community of support, resilience, and empowerment for women across Sri Lanka," said Selyna Peiris, Director - Selyn Foundation and Head of Business Development at Selyn. 

The project is committed to providing vital education, advice, and support to grassroots women, collaborating with expert partners in legal services and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Through workshops, counselling, and advocacy, #BleedGood aims to empower women with the knowledge on vital issues such as Gender Based Violence and Child Safety.