In the quiet fishing villages of Kalpitiya, in Sri Lanka’s Puttalam District, day-to-day life is often shaped by tradition and determination. But for many women and girls, especially those with disabilities or facing poverty, something as natural as menstruation can become a monthly burden overshadowed by shame, struggle, and silence.

Fathima Najeeha, a resident of Mosque Street with a speech disability, has experienced this challenge intimately. Using sign language, she shared, “It was the first time I had received support like that. It meant a lot to me and my family.” With her husband away for work and her aging father no longer able to help, daily life had become increasingly difficult. 

"These supplies provided through the kit made it easier to manage my daily routine in terms of menstrual hygiene. It’s incredibly helpful for families like ours who don’t have a stable income. I hope such support continues, not just for us but for others who are struggling too."

Najeeha is one of thousands of women and girls who have received dignity kits through a UNFPA-led initiative to improve menstrual health and hygiene across Sri Lanka. As part of its humanitarian response in 2024, UNFPA Sri Lanka has distributed over 6,800 dignity kits, more than 7,000 adolescent kits, and 6,419 maternity kits, across the country.

Each dignity kit and adolescent kit contains essential personal care items including sanitary pads, underwear, soap, washing powder, toothpaste, toothbrush, and more, meticulously curated as per UNFPA’s global standards, to support the physical and emotional well-being of women and girls, especially during times of crisis. These are not just hygiene items; they are tools of empowerment, dignity, and relief.

For Fathima Rifka, a young girl in Kalpitiya with a speech and hearing disability, the kit became a source of comfort and care. “Everything that was given was useful for her daily care,” her mother shared.

“We saw a positive change in our daughter’s life. We didn’t have to spend extra money on menstrual sanitary items anymore, which really helped us financially.”

Such stories are not uncommon. In nearby Musalpitiya, J. Rani and her daughter expressed their gratitude for the kits. "The kits made our needs a little more manageable. I think it’s a very good thing to help people who are in need. These small supports go a long way," Rani said. 

“The items in the kit were definitely useful and made a difference in small but meaningful ways”

But beyond the items themselves, these kits are opening doors to deeper conversations around menstrual health, a topic that has long remained in the shadows of Sri Lankan society. “Yes, there is growing awareness on menstrual hygiene and women’s health now,” said Rifka’s mother. “People are more informed than before.”

That awareness is key to UNFPA’s mission.

As the United Nations agency dedicated to sexual and reproductive health, UNFPA works to ensure that every woman and girl can manage her menstruation safely and with dignity. In 2022 alone, UNFPA appealed for US$10.7 million to deliver life-saving healthcare services to over 2 million women and girls in Sri Lanka.

In 2024, in the wake of severe flooding, UNFPA responded swiftly in partnership with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), prioritizing those most vulnerable, especially menstruating women, pregnant women, adolescents, and women and girls with disabilities across the districts of Ampara, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Mullaitivu, Colombo and Kalutara.

A total of 3,817 kits were distributed, including 1,248 maternity kits, 1,069 dignity kits, and 1,500 adolescent kits, with 105 kits specifically allocated for women with disabilities.

According to Anton Nishantha, Development Facilitator at World Vision Lanka in Kalpitiya, the distribution process of dignity kits involved extensive coordination with local government officials, medical officers, and community leaders. “Our role was to ensure the kits reached the right beneficiaries,” he explained. “We worked closely with Divisional Secretariats and Grama Niladharis who knew the needs on the ground.”

Anton also echoes the significance of providing the kits directly:

“There’s something about receiving a well-packed, thoughtfully prepared kit that brings dignity. These kits showed that someone cared, giving beneficiaries a sense of pride and purpose.”

While the program was hailed as a success, with beneficiaries expressing heartfelt appreciation, Anton acknowledges there’s more to be done. “One major limitation was the number of kits; we simply didn’t have enough for everyone in need,” he said. He also emphasized the need for tailored hygiene awareness programmes, especially for caregivers and women with disabilities.

For families like that of Jamina Banu, the kits were both practical and symbolic. “All the items, especially the soap and washing powder were very helpful. Everything was useful in our daily lives,” she shared. Her mother, Jeyarani, reflected on the shift in times:

“During my time, there was no support like this. Seeing my daughter receive this kind of support truly warms my heart. It would have made such a difference back then too.”

Menstruating with dignity is a right, not a privilege. Through its dignity kit initiative and broader menstrual health efforts, UNFPA Sri Lanka is not only relieving financial burdens and health risks but also reshaping attitudes and realities for women and girls, one kit, one household, one village at a time.

As the world marks Menstrual Hygiene Day, the message from Kalpitiya is clear: with the right support, every woman and girl can live with dignity, even in crisis.