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Thursday, 7 November 2019 00:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The United National Party (UNP) yesterday severely criticised the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) for ridiculing New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential aspirant Sajith Premadasa’s pledges to provide free sanitary hygiene products for women who cannot afford them.
SLPP politicians, including female representatives, have downplayed Premadasa’s pledges to provide sanitary hygiene products free of charge as topics that should not be discussed at political rallies.
However, arguing against this point of view, UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra, speaking at Sirikotha, said women’s hygiene should be openly discussed to raise awareness to improve female hygiene. She noted society should be aware of the importance of the use of female hygiene products, including sanitary pads, for the health of women and girls. 
“We should openly discuss women’s hygiene needs and why it is important. Sanitary pads is not a topic that we should keep hidden. It is a basic necessity for any menstruating female, therefore it something that we all should not be shy to talk about,” Premachandra said.
Premachandra argued that only 30% of the female population use sanitary pads and most of them were from Colombo and urban areas. According to Premachandra, due to various reasons, the majority of the female population do not use sanitary napkins in rural areas.
“Some women still use alternative methods, such as pieces of cloth during menstruation. That is not a healthy practice, which could lead to serious health issues. However, most of them are unable to afford sanitary pads.”
Premachandra charged the SLPP failed to identify issues related to female hygiene, which in her view should have been given prominence in the election manifesto. She argued the SLPP holds a narrow view on female hygiene, which reflects their stance on women.
“The SLPP have neglected key women’s needs and they have failed to identify the importance of female hygiene, and sadly their female representatives have also failed to raise their voice on female hygiene. This shows how the SLPP will address women’s issues.”
She argued only a leader who is aware of women’s needs would be able to assure a safe country for women. According to Premachandra, Sajith Premadasa is the only presidential candidate who dared to speak about women’s needs.
Premachandra charged SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa had not spoken on women’s hygiene issues, or expressed his views on how to address women’s issues. She argued considering Rajapaksa’s and Premadasa’s views on women’s empowerment, the majority of women ought to vote for Premadasa during the forthcoming Presidential Election.
