• Covid-19 pushes new challenges on education sector

By Yumiko Perera [caption id="attachment_125503" align="alignright" width="205"] "Providing free napkins for schoolgirls across the country wouldn’t merely cut it...Awareness on how to use sanitary products, how to dispose of them properly, as well as educating girls on the importance of menstrual hygiene are also important"  State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle[/caption]   The Government’s pledge to address the issue of period poverty in the country, especially among young school-going girls in rural areas, has been put on hold, as education authorities are faced with a multitude of new challenges posed by the global Covid-19 pandemic. As such, the authorities have had to prioritise issues relating to ensuring access to education, reopening schools amidst health concerns, and holding national examinations. However, the issue of period poverty is a phenomenon that has constantly plagued girls and women the world over. With so many living in poverty, access to and affordability of sanitary products remain two major issues even today. Sri Lanka is home to almost 22 million people, and 52% of the population is female. It is estimated that there are approximately 4.2 million females of menstruating age in the country and sanitary products are still somewhat of a luxury to most. For a long time, women’s groups, activists, and various political figures have campaigned to have sanitary products classified as essential items. Sanitary products, usually imported, are subject to taxes. While most women do not have access to basic sanitary products or proper sanitary facilities, menstrual practices still face many social, cultural, and religious restrictions that have proven to be a big barrier in the path of menstrual hygiene management amongst women across our country. As part of the Education Ministry’s health and nutrition programme, it was recently announced that the Ministry would provide free sanitary napkins to schoolchildren in rural areas as a means of eradicating period poverty. This initiative would provide sanitary napkins to approximately 800,000 children through a three-stage project. [caption id="attachment_125501" align="alignleft" width="203"] "While I’m glad we are talking about sanitary products, the issue of period poverty doesn’t end just at having accessibility to sanitary napkins. We have to understand that it is a much broader"  Academic and MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya[/caption] Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Media Secretary to the Ministry of Education Buddhika Wickramadara shared: “While several things need to be taken into consideration when a project of this magnitude is in question, the project has received Cabinet approval. We are certain it would be implemented in the near future.” Wickramadara further added that the programme would prioritise schoolchildren in poorer, rural areas. Menstruation has long caused marginalisation and vulnerability for women and the girl child. Having little to no access to essential sanitation to maintain basic hygiene during menstruation frequently excludes females from participating in basic activities such as attending school. The shame then becomes twofold, with most females not being able to afford sanitary products, which should ideally be considered a basic necessity. Statistics say that only 30% amongst the 4.2 million menstruating females in the country use sanitary napkins during their menstruation cycles, whilst most resort to the use of a cloth and other means of managing their period, through no choice of their own. Whilst deeper conversations around menstruation do need to happen, there is no denying that we need to see real, measurable change by those in power. The Sunday Morning approached several renowned females in the political sphere to shed light on the topic. Speaking with us, State Minister of Primary Healthcare, Epidemics, and Covid Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said: “Providing free napkins for schoolgirls across the country wouldn’t merely cut it; it should be coupled with awareness programmes as well. Awareness on how to use sanitary products, how to dispose of them properly, as well as educating girls on the importance of menstrual hygiene are also important.” [caption id="attachment_125500" align="alignright" width="201"] "We are planning on trying to bring in measures to locally produce sanitary napkins at a cheaper rate, through which a significant number of women would be able to afford it, and there would not be any tax involved"  MP Diana Gamage[/caption] Commending the effort to put forth measures to eradicate period poverty within the country, she further added that not only does there need to be more dialogue on the matter, but the myths, beliefs, and misinformation that comes with menstruation also needs to be addressed. Whilst the shame, stigma, and misinformation surrounding menstruation is a serious concern, it goes without saying that the taboos and myths that surround the subject further necessitate the need for more dialogue and awareness on the matter. While silence perpetuates these beliefs further, a significant, lasting change could be brought along with open conversation. Academic and human rights activist MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, speaking to The Sunday Morning, shared: “When it comes to the question of making sanitary products more accessible to women across the island, these products must be treated as a basic necessity instead of a luxury commodity.” Calling further attention to the issue, Dr. Amarasuriya pointed out that it is not just a case of having access to basic sanitary products, as the lack of access to basic sanitation plays a huge part as well. “Public toilets, access to clean toilets, ways of disposing of sanitary products, environmentally safe sanitary products, awareness of menstruation, medical and support services for medical conditions linked to menstruation – all of these things should be taken into consideration. While I’m glad we are talking about sanitary products, the issue of period poverty doesn’t end just at having accessibility to sanitary napkins. We have to understand that it is a much broader issue which requires intervention on those many related areas as well,” she noted. [caption id="attachment_125502" align="alignleft" width="210"] "Working towards providing a tangible solution to this issue is of utmost importance. Menstruation isn’t a choice; it’s not fair to pay so much money over something women have no control over"  MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna[/caption] Opposition MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna shared that she feels the economic aspect is something the country should take into serious consideration. Pointing out that a single packet of sanitary napkins is sold at Rs. 160, at the very least, she said a single menstrual cycle requires at least two packets on average. “We need to accept that it is not something an average family consisting of daily wage earners can afford, and this is the reality we must accept. Working towards providing a tangible solution to this issue is of utmost importance. Menstruation isn’t a choice; it’s not fair to pay so much money over something women have no control over,” she stressed. Speaking on how sanitary products could be locally produced, MP Diana Gamage stated: “We are planning on trying to bring in measures to locally produce sanitary napkins at a cheaper rate, through which a significant number of women would be able to afford it, and there would not be any tax involved. So many children do not attend school when they are on their menstrual cycle, and the lack of proper infrastructure in schools is another thing that we need to pay serious attention to. The other aspect to consider are the adverse health effects that come with this matter. Not being able to manage one’s menstrual cycle in a clean, hygienic manner causes many adverse health issues in women. This is an ongoing problem that is never going to stop unless we make an impactful change, she further said. With little to no access to basic sanitary products, women in low-paying jobs, such as daily wage workers and labourers, end up taking a monetary hit. Whilst most female parliamentarians strongly opposed the 15% tax on sanitary napkins proposed by the Government in its 2021 Budget, there were opposing views too. There is no doubt that the lack of knowledge about menstruation is a great hindrance in the path of menstrual hygiene, but these findings also show us just how much privilege too is involved in the choice of and access to sanitary products which should be available to every woman. No one, regardless of class, social status, or economic circumstances, should be deprived of the support to deal with the worry and discomfort that comes with menstruation.