Anudi Gunasekara, crowned Miss World Sri Lanka 2024, is not only a beauty queen but also a dedicated social activist. She founded the *Saheli Foundation*, a non-profit organization committed to combating period poverty in Sri Lanka. The foundation focuses on providing menstrual hygiene education, challenging societal stigmas, and distributing sanitary products, particularly to underserved communities.

Period poverty refers to the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, toilets, handwashing facilities, and waste management. This issue disproportionately affects women and girls, leading to health problems and hindering their ability to attend school or work. By addressing period poverty, the Saheli Foundation aims to empower women, promote gender equality, and improve public health.

Through her platform as Miss World Sri Lanka, Anudi has amplified the mission of the Saheli Foundation, bringing national and international attention to the cause. Her efforts include delivering hygiene kits to underserved women, including female monks, and advocating for policy reforms such as reducing taxes on sanitary products.

Anudi's work with the Saheli Foundation exemplifies how beauty pageant platforms can be leveraged to drive meaningful social change. Her dedication to combating period poverty serves as an inspiration and a call to action for others to join in creating a more equitable society.

Saheli foundation With the support of the Lions Club of Colombo Somerset & Anuradhapura.

At Nachchaduwa Sinhala College