Eva Joins Hands with Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to facilitate Sanitary care requirements of Women in Flood-affected Areas

The socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been devastating and its effects have especially been dire to females from disadvantaged backgrounds. This situation has been further exacerbated by the recent inclement weather conditions, coupled with shutdowns, travel restrictions, and loss of employment, in a multitude of cases across Sri Lanka. 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 Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to donate 50,000 sanitary napkins to women in need in Colombo, Kalutara, Ratnapura, and Kegalle districts. The official donation took place at the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Headquarters in Colombo 02 where representatives of ICL Brands Pvt Ltd handed over the Eva packs to SLRCS representatives.

Addressing the event, Rukshan Peiris, Chairman, Colombo District – Sri Lanka Red Cross Society noted that “The current situation in the country has disproportionately affected young girls and women across the country. The burden is far more severe than a health & 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 utilize its extensive network and on-ground know-how to ensure the sanitary napkins are given to those most in need, as the organization works closely with the government in fulfilling these duties. SLRCS’s district branches will work closely with the Divisional Secretariats and Grama Niladhari officers of the relevant districts, making sure that the stocks reach recipients in a timely and efficacious manner.

Also speaking on this occasion, Chethika Rajapaksha, Marketing Manager – ICL Brands Pvt Ltd. 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 emerging 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''.

Eva is the undisputed frontrunner in Sri Lanka's sanitary napkins market with an 80% market share. Apart from product quality, Eva's commitment to the cause of empowering Sri Lankan women has been an integral part of the brand's success for decades. In addition to timely initiatives such as these, Eva continues to engage in long-term community initiatives, focusing on vulnerable girls and women, addressing their most urgent needs, and ensuring improved menstrual health and hygiene. 'Eva Diyaniya' is one example of a long-term mission the brand is heavily invested in.

Initiated in partnership with the State Ministry of Women and Child Development, 'Eva Diyaniya' aims to ensure that all school girls in the country have their feminine hygiene needs met, ensuring access to 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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(From left to right) Dr. Siddhartha Nanayakkara, Consultant for External Projects, SLRCS Colombo Branch, Rukshan Peiris, Chairman, SLRCS Colombo Branch, Jagath Abeysinghe, President, Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, Kumari Kotalawala, Branch Executive Officer, SLRCS Colombo Branch, Sachini Peramune, Brand Executive – Eva, Chethika Rajapaksha, Marketing Manager, ICL Brands Pvt Ltd.