The importance of generating awareness among boys and men about menstruation

Period poverty is not just having no access to sanitary towels. It is also about the lack of awareness among men and boys and the community in general and more so, the stigma around the topic. Managing menstruation with dignity means creating consistent awareness among men and women and the community at large on a regular basis.

Since 2021, Fems as a brand has been actively engaged in generating awareness within the community across Sri Lanka – the message of changing minds about menstruation as a normal physical activity, has been reaching where it is needed most.

This way, Fems has been powering a much needed conversation around a topic that is still taboo is most communities where lack of awareness and stigma continues to impact the everyday lives of young women and female students.

Menstruation awareness must include boys and men

Menstruation, when framed as a female only topic, has three predictable outcomes. Boys grow up with gaps in knowledge that can harden into jokes and taboo subjects. Fathers, brothers and teachers and male employers can miss the important signs of recognizing the impact menstruation causes the women in their orbit. As a result, men who are often associated with the decision making process in the households and communities, do not pay attention to prioritizing menstruation and needs associated with it.

Inclusive education often enables men to overcome this. When boys learn biological facts and hygiene practices in schools, they are less likely to tease and more likely to help. Whether by giving space, or advocating for bins and water in toilets, boys can then be a part of the solution rather than the problem.

When it comes to families, informed fathers and brothers can make budget choices that include pads as a staple, not a luxury, and they help normalise open discussion.

In workplaces, male supervisors who understand menstruation are better at setting fair policies, enabling flexible breaks, and ensuring washrooms are stocked and safe.

Period poverty in Sri Lanka: what it looks like on the ground

The price of a packet of pads can be enough to force trade-offs in low-income households. Some girls improvise with cloth without privacy to wash and dry it properly. Some stay home during heavy days. Many fear leaks at school because toilets lack bins, water, or doors that lock.

In boarding situations or exam periods, the stress multiplies. Period poverty is therefore a compound barrier: it reduces attendance, undermines performance, fuels shame, and limits participation in sport and extracurricular life. Over time it can push talented students out of opportunities and, later, out of better-paid work.

There is also a health dimension. Poor menstrual hygiene can lead to infections. Misinformation—about what to eat, whether to bathe, whether exercise is “allowed,” or whether periods are “dirty”—creates unnecessary restrictions and anxiety. Reliable information and affordable products together reduce risk and restore agency.

Fems’ mixed-gender approach since 2021

Fems has treated menstrual health as a community topic, not a women-only module. Since 2021, its programmes have consistently invited both girls and boys to the same sessions, with age-appropriate content and trained facilitators. The method is simple and effective:

• Shared foundation: Boys and girls hear the same science explained clearly. Myths are named and corrected in plain language.
• Respect and empathy: Facilitators model non-judgemental responses. Boys are invited to ask questions that are often left unsaid.
• Practical tools: Participants learn how to track cycles, manage heavy days, and use and dispose of products responsibly.
• Community continuity: Sessions often link to school authorities, parents, and local leaders so learning translates into better facilities and ongoing conversation.

Beyond schools, Fems partners with community groups, youth clubs, and workplaces to keep the message moving. The focus is consistent: dignity, affordability, and facts. The brand frame is present but not overpowering; the priority is credibility and trust in the information itself.

What changes when you teach everyone

Change shows up first in language. Students stop sniggering at words like “period” and start using correct terms. The next shift is behavioural. Girls report fewer incidents of teasing. Boys show up as practical allies—standing guard outside a washroom, passing a sweater, or telling a teacher when bins are full. Teachers become more confident handling questions in class, and principals are more willing to allocate funds for pads, bins, and water.

At home, families that once treated menstruation as a private crisis start planning for it like any other monthly need. Fathers add pads to grocery lists. Mothers feel less pressure to “hide” products. Brothers do not mock; they help. In workplaces, supervisors adopt quiet flexibility, and HR teams begin to include menstrual hygiene in wellness programmes. Over time, these small shifts add up to higher attendance, fewer drop-offs, and better educational continuity.

Policy and systems: closing the gaps

Awareness is necessary but not sufficient. Sri Lanka still faces systems gaps. Some schools lack adequate toilets, running water, or disposal mechanisms. Product affordability remains a barrier for many families. Procurement for school distributions can be inconsistent.

Education at scale: Make menstrual health a standard component of school health curricula, not an occasional talk. Provide teachers with accurate, stigma-free materials.

Corporate partners like Fems can strengthen each lever by co-funding infrastructure, donating products during transitions, and continuously normalising mixed-gender learning.

Breaking the Silence on Period Poverty in Sri Lanka – a teacher’s perspective