H.E.R. Foundation celebrates a successful first year

The H.E.R Foundation initiated by Fems (a leading feminine hygiene care brand by Hemas Consumer Brands), marked its first year last month, recommitting to breaking down societal barriers.

The journey began with Fems, driven by a mandate to help women through its core pillars: Help, Empower, and Rise, having recognized the call to redefine the narrative surrounding menstrual health in Sri Lanka.

For far too long, women and girls have faced challenges in receiving proper education, accessing essential menstrual hygiene products, and overcoming societal taboos surrounding this natural biological process. Evidence suggests that in Sri Lanka, lack of education, and generational habits, have contributed to perpetuate the stigma surrounding menstruation.

According to a study conducted by WaterAid and the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia on menstrual hygiene management in schools in South Asia, 66% of Sri Lankan girls are unaware of menstruation until menarche. Additionally, 60% of parents do not allow their daughters to go to school during their periods.

In 2021 with a two-pronged approach aimed at tackling period poverty and promoting menstrual health education, Fems launched the AYA initiative.

The AYA initiative aimed to empower women and girls by introducing the AYA Sanitary Napkin, a high-quality yet affordable option designed to make hygienic menstrual care accessible to all.

H.E.R Foundation collaborates with corporations to raise awareness about
menstrual health and hygiene among employees.

In collaboration with medical professionals, the brand conducted awareness sessions across the island, educating women and girls about menstrual health, proper hygiene practices, and dispelling harmful myths that had been passed down for generations.

Fems launched the H.E.R Foundation on May 28th, 2023.

To improve accessibility, the Foundation introduced sanitary napkin dispenser units in schools, workplaces and coffee shops ensuring that women and girls had convenient access to these essential products, enabling them to continue their daily activities unhindered.

Raising awareness about Menstrual Health and Hygiene among school students.

One of the Foundation's recent initiatives under the ‘Empower’ pillar was the introduction of an automated WhatsApp chatbot called ‘Fio’ by Fems, available at the number 0765654661. All questions are answered by medical experts creating a safe and accessible platform for open discussions about menstruation and addressing related concerns.

To continue its efforts in breaking the misinformation and taboos surrounding menstruation, the Foundation keeps educating schoolgirls, women in the plantation and apparel sectors, as well as midwives. These midwives, in turn, can educate households, ensuring that accurate information reaches a broader audience. To date, the Foundation has educated over 250,000 girls and women about good menstrual health and hygiene.

The H.E.R Foundation identified a critical need in Sri Lankan prisons, that female inmates often lack access to essential sanitary products and launched a monthly distribution to provide the necessary items.

For more information, visit their website at https://herfoundation.lk/ , and follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559814167390 and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/herfoundation.lk/ . 

H.E.R Foundation partners with Barista to provide easy access to menstrual hygiene by placing
sanitary napkin dispenser units at the Coffee Chain.