The CAAPP Project hosted the "Sri Lankan Narratives on Menstruation" art and photo exhibition from 29th November to 1st December at the Alliance Française Colombo. The exhibition featured over 40 paintings and 6 photographs, created by school and university students, local artists, and community members from Sri Lanka’s Northern, Eastern, Central, and Western Provinces. Each piece shared diverse stories and perspectives on menstruation, aiming to challenge the myths, taboos, and stigma that surround the topic in Sri Lankan society.

This exhibition is part of the CAAPP Project, a collaboration between the French Embassy and The Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka (FPA), designed to address period poverty, raise awareness about menstrual health, empower communities, and promote open discussions about menstruation. 

Ms. Marie-Noëlle Duris, Acting Head of Mission at the French Embassy, and Ms. Aruni Marcelline, President of FPA Sri Lanka, were present as chief guests.

An esteemed panel of judges, including notable figures, Ms. Nelun Harasgama (Artist), Mr. Prageeth Rathnayake (Artist and former Art Director of Rupavahini Corporation), Ms. Olivia Bellemere (Cultural and Cooperation Counsellor, Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and the Maldives), Ms. Cecile Hoorelbeke (Director, Alliance Française Colombo), and Mr. Aadhitya Jayaseelan (Founder and Director, Studio Kayamai), evaluated the entries and selected the winning pieces.

Beyond the exhibition, the CAAPP Project has made significant strides in supporting over 38,000 beneficiaries across Sri Lanka, particularly in the Northern and Central provinces. In partnership with 13 grassroots NGOs, the project has improved menstrual health, provided sanitary products, and promoted menstrual hygiene education. This includes training 30,000+ school students, developing sanitary facilities in 70+ schools, and setting up Pad Banks in 30+ schools, benefiting 20,000+ students. Additionally, over 100 women have been trained to make reusable pads, while 400+ women in the estate sector now have access to period cups. The project has also trained 1,025+ youth as mentors on Menstrual Health Management (MHM), stigma, and discrimination, and raised awareness among 15,000+ community members. Special programmes have supported 70 students with special needs, and the “Period Proud” conferences held in Colombo and Jaffna engaged over 1,500 participants. With more than 100 healthcare professionals trained in MHM, the project continues to share best practices with 60+ smaller CSOs/CBOs, ensuring long-term impact. 

Looking ahead, the project aims to reach an additional 20,000 + beneficiaries in the next six months, with a focus on increasing access to menstrual products, further addressing stigma, and launching research to improve menstrual health practices. The CAAPP Project continues to create lasting social change by breaking taboos and empowering individuals to speak out about menstruation.