25 April 2025 | Okray Hotel, Kandy
As the concluding event of the Collective Actions Against Period Poverty (CAAPP) project, the “Menstruation Matters: Symposium on Dignified Menstruation” was successfully held on 25th April 2025 at Okray Hotel, Kandy, drawing together nearly 100 diverse stakeholders committed to advancing menstrual dignity and gender justice in Sri Lanka.
The symposium brought together community leaders, academics, researchers, civil society organizations, and representatives from key government entities, including the Regional Directorate of Health, in a collaborative platform for knowledge-sharing and action planning.
FISD was honored to welcome Mr. Ravana Wijerathne, the honorary consul of France in Kandy representing the French Embassy of Sri Lanka (Ambassade de France à Sri Lanka et aux Maldives), and representatives from Alliance Française, Kandy, a clear testament to the importance of international solidarity in promoting menstrual health rights through generous funding. FISD was pleased to have Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka as the leading partner organization along with other 5 NGOs working on the CAAPP project in the Central province.
The event featured:
- Panel discussions showcasing the experiences and success stories of CAAPP partners from the Central Province, who are breaking taboos and implementing community-led solutions.
- Dialogues on national-level policy recommendations, bridging grassroots insights with high-level advocacy.
- An interactive World Cafe session, where stakeholders actively contributed ideas and shared perspectives to shape future initiatives in menstrual health and dignity.
Participants did not simply attend, they energized the space with their voices, lived experiences, and collective commitment to change.
Thanks to the dedication of the FISD team, CAAPP partners, and the incredible support of our allies, the symposium served not only as a celebration of achievements but also as a launchpad for continued advocacy, collaboration, and systemic change.
Together, we affirmed a shared truth: Menstruation matters, and every person deserves to experience it with dignity, safety, and respect.
Here’s to more conversations, more change, and a future where menstrual health is recognized not as a taboo, but as a fundamental human right.