November 13: The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) has launched a new menstrual health program across its seven member associations, combining access to sanitary products with education for coaches, medical staff and protection officers.
The ‘Play On Period’ initiative was launched in Dhaka on Thursday with the support of AFC Dream Asia Foundation and Bangladesh-based hygiene brand Senora.
Each SAFF member association will receive two sanitary pad dispensers, which will be installed at the federation’s headquarters and training grounds, with the aim of maintaining the supply of players and staff. Senora will provide an initial supply for one year to support the initiative.
Coaches, physios and safeguarding officers will take part in workshops designed to improve understanding of menstrual health and how it can affect players’ training, performance and well-being as the AFC tries to tackle the stigma around periods.
These participants will be given a certificate and digital information toolkit, while separate ‘Red Huddle’ sessions will give female footballers space to talk about pain management, nutrition, mental wellbeing and the stigma that still surrounds periods in some parts of the region.
The launch took place during the SAFF Men’s Championship in Dhaka, with captains and team managers from the competing nations attending the ceremony.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at (email protected)