ABS-CBN Foundation Bantay Bata 163 and Miss Universe Put Menstrual Health of Young Girls on Spotlight

Young girls from partner communities of ABS-CBN Foundation Bantay Bata 163 learned about menstrual health from Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Bea Gomez, and Miss Universe Philippines 2022 candidates.

During a forum, held in partnership with Johnson and Johnson Philippines and Miss Universe Philippines, 50 teenagers who are part of the Bantay Bata child safe schools project learned more about menstrual health. The talk covered topics on hygiene, biology, mental health, and general wellness.

“Every woman in this room either has, had, or will have a period,” Sandhu said at the event. “And let me tell you, we all got you.”

This advocacy activity served to break the barriers surrounding conversations about menstrual health and to normalize the topic as a part of life. It also aims to open the opportunities for young girls to be more educated about menstruation, and have better access to menstrual products.

“It has always been our goal to inspire Filipino women, especially Gen Z who we at Modess refer to as the #GenFree, to pursue their passions and dreams by equipping them with the knowledge they need to take charge of their menstrual hygiene and health now that they are starting to move more in the new normal. It is our hope that young girls will be inspired by the stories shared by Miss Universe Philippines about their own menstrual health journeys,” explained Rehi Dimayuga, Marketing Manager for Feminine Care of Johnson & Johnson (Philippines), Inc.

In celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, Modess held a special Lazada Live session with #GenFree content creator Denise Silva and Miss Universe Philippines Charity 2022 Pauline Amelincx to further talk about the importance of menstrual hygiene, health, and having a trusted pad to so that young girls will always #BeNextPeriodReady. To continue on the advocacy of the brand, Modess will also distribute Period Ready Kits to 25 community beneficiaries all throughout the Philippines with the help of ABS-CBN Foundation.

Holistic wellness is integral to the advocacy of Bantay Bata 163, the child welfare arm of the ABS-CBN Foundation. Menstrual health is part of the topics in the child safe schools project of Bantay Bata 163, as the project aims to create environments for children to be free from abuse.