From left: SLRCS Colombo Branch Consultant for External Projects Dr. Siddhartha Nanayakkara, SLRCS Colombo Branch Chairman Rukshan Peiris, Sri Lanka Red Cross Society President Jagath Abeysinghe, SLRCS Colombo Branch Branch Executive Officer Kumari Kotalawala, Eva Brand Executive Sachini Peramune and ICL Brands Marketing Manager Chethika Rajapaksha

The social and individual impact of the pandemic has been devastating especially to the girls and women of less-privileged communities and recent severe weather conditions have worsened things, complicating an already impoverished. This prevailing situation has only served to deny women access to essential menstrual hygiene products such as sanitary napkins. 

As Sri Lanka’s leading brand of sanitary napkins, Eva has once again stepped forward to assist and uplift these women by ensuring their most essential needs are met. The brand recently partnered with the Red Cross to donate 50,000 sanitary napkins to women in need in the affected areas of Colombo, Kalutara, Ratnapura and Kegalle Districts. The official donation took place at the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Headquarters in Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7 where the representatives of ICL Brands Ltd. handed over the goods to SLRCS representatives at the venue.

Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Chairman, Colombo District Rukshan Peiris said: “The current situation in the country has disproportionately affected young girls and women across the country. The burden is much more severe than a mere health and safety concern because it is critical that we also consider the psychological wellbeing of these women. We are pleased to see Eva coming forward to support the women of our community in this time of need. Their donation of sanitary napkins will no doubt give countless women respite from their current situation while enabling a better quality of life and good health during this critical time.”

SLRCS will utilise its extensive network and on-ground know-how to ensure the sanitary napkins are given to those most in need, as the organisation works closely with the Government in fulfilling these duties. SLRCS’s district branches will work closely with the Divisional Secretariats and Grama Niladharis of the relevant districts, making sure that the goods reach recipients in a timely manner. 

ICL Brands Marketing Manager Chethika Rajapaksha said: “Covid 19, travel restrictions, heavy rains, floods, and landslides are serious disasters even when considered individually. At this point, women in affected areas are struggling with a ruthless combination of all these catastrophes arriving together. As a brand that's close to Sri Lankan women, we are happy to stand with these strong women in their hour of need. We are thankful to Sri Lanka Red Cross Society for giving us the opportunity to be part of their lives at this crucial time.”

Initiated in partnership with the State Ministry of Women and Child Development, ‘Eva Diyaniya’ aims to ensure that all schoolgirls in the country have their menstrual/feminine hygiene needs satisfied, regardless of whether they can afford these essential items. Under the first phase of the programme, Eva is covering 250 schools, ensuring that young students have the ability, knowledge, and means to practice good feminine hygiene, aiming to improve their overall health and wellbeing.

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