#BleedGood to Empower, Educate and Enable:  Selyn Foundation Launches flagship initiative to Tackle Period Poverty

  • Selyn Foundation launches  #BleedGood initiative to fight period poverty in Sri Lanka
  • Donations of reusable pads and menstrual hygiene education and awareness as core drivers of #BleedGood
  • Selyn Foundation brings together stakeholders for impactful change in the fight against period poverty in Sri Lanka.
The core catalyst product/symbol of #Bleedgood- the pad.

In a bold move to redefine access to menstrual hygiene and support for women across Sri Lanka, the Selyn Foundation proudly unveiled its flagship  #BleedGood initiative on March 14th, 2024. The event, titled “Bound by Blood,” held at BMICH’s Mihilaka Madhura, marks a pivotal moment in the fight against period poverty while championing sexual and reproductive health rights. #BleedGood encompasses an ecosystem of collective humanitarian effort and compassionate advocacy that includes the distribution of reusable pads, educational workshops, and the collaborative effort of multiple stakeholders passionate about making a difference in this critical area.

“Our mission goes beyond mere philanthropy; it’s about igniting tangible, lasting change in the lives of women within our communities and building a larger movement around it. We’ve witnessed firsthand the silent struggles endured by countless women, grappling with the harsh realities of period poverty with limited access to essential menstrual hygiene products or basic knowledge about their Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights. With #BleedGood, the flagship initiative of the Selyn Foundation, our commitment extends far beyond simply distributing pads; it’s about equipping women with the tools, knowledge, and unwavering support necessary to reclaim ownership of their reproductive health and well-being. We envision a future where every woman stands empowered and armed with the resources to navigate their lives whilst enabling them to experience menstruation with dignity and confidence. Through #BleedGood, we are not just addressing a need; we are fostering a movement of empowerment, resilience, and hope,” remarked Sandra Wanduragala, the visionary Founder of Selyn and the Selyn Foundation.

#BleedGood is more than just a project; it’s a holistic ecosystem of support designed to uplift women. At its heart lies the innovative Selyn reusable pad, a product manufactured and tested to international quality standards offering up to two years of menstrual hygiene solutions. This game-changing initiative aims not only to alleviate the financial and emotional burden of period poverty, but also empowers the community of rural artisan women who make the pads within Selyn’s fair trade social enterprise fold.

“Period poverty casts a shadow over the lives of millions of women globally, robbing them of their dignity and basic rights. It’s a multifaceted issue deeply rooted in systemic inequalities and societal stigmas. A Selyn Foundation, we refuse to turn a blind eye to this pervasive injustice. With #BleedGood, we are stepping up to the plate, not merely as providers of practical solutions, but as architects of change and champions of empowerment. We have created the #BleedGood initiative, collaborating with many partners for its implementation, to build a community of support, resilience, and empowerment for women across Sri Lanka. Through education, advocacy, and unwavering solidarity, we are forging a path toward a future where no woman has to endure the indignity of period poverty.” said Selyna Peiris, Director – Selyn Foundation and Head of Business Development at Selyn.

Sandra Wanduragala’s legendary ambassadorship that sells

The project is committed to providing vital education, advice, and support to grassroots women, collaborating with expert partners in legal services and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Through workshops, counseling, and advocacy, #BleedGood aims to empower women with the knowledge on vital issues such as Gender Based Violence and Child Safety to further empower them with the tools to optimize their wellbeing.

What sets #BleedGood apart is its open-source model, sharing technical know-how & learnings and inviting collaboration from organizations and individuals committed to ending period poverty in Sri Lanka. Selyn Foundation welcomes all who wish to engage with the movement, offering support and guidance to facilitate community interventions and drive sustainable change.

About Selyn Foundation

Established in 2009 by Sandra Wanduragala, founder of Selyn, the Selyn Foundation is a non-profit initiative dedicated to holistically empowering female artisans, ensuring their sustained engagement in meaningful work. Central to the Foundation’s endeavors is the “Skills to Empower” program, designed to focus on crucial aspects such as health, menstrual hygiene, financial management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. In response to the pressing need for menstrual hygiene products during the COVID-19 pandemic, the #BleedGood initiative has emerged as the flagship project. This initiative involves the distribution of reusable pads alongside comprehensive awareness sessions on menstrual hygiene, reproductive health, and related subjects.