From conversation to change: How Freedom Cups is making a difference, according to co-founder Rebecca Paranjothy

“We started Freedom Cups with the goal of simply starting a conversation. My sisters and I spent 10 years in an all-girls school, yet periods – painful, inconvenient, uncomfortable, and sometimes limiting – were barely discussed. We once talked about how we couldn’t imagine having a period without at least one of three things: running water, a toilet or menstrual products.

That conversation made us think: If our periods feel this difficult in Singapore with access to all three, what is it like for the millions who lack even one? And how much harder would it be for women in communities where periods are seen as shameful? We soon realised that around 70 per cent of menstruators globally face period poverty in some form. The impact is huge – daily wage workers often miss a week of work every month because they lack access to toilets or menstrual products. This means lost income, fewer opportunities, and a cycle that keeps them from moving forward.

Period poverty doesn’t just affect hygiene – it affects education, income, and even a person’s role in their own household. For example, 23 per cent of girls in India drop out of school the moment they get their first period, forced to stay home due to the lack of access to menstrual products. Over time, fewer girls complete their education, limiting their job prospects and financial independence. For working women, the impact is just as severe. Many daily wage workers have to skip work for a week every month, which means three months of lost wages every year.

This was when we realised the impact that menstrual cups could have. The average menstruator spends about $10 to $20 a month on disposable products, adding up to thousands over a lifetime. Menstrual cups are a game-changer – they cost about the same as a few months’ worth of disposables, but last up to a decade and require only a small amount of clean water to wash, making them ideal for remote villages. Beyond health and hygiene, menstrual cups enable women to work consistently and earn a steady income, and allow girls to stay in school longer, completely changing their futures.

Globally, the biggest barriers to proper menstrual care extend beyond access to products. Lack of education, cultural taboos, and financial constraints all play a role. In many parts of the world, menstruation is still seen as shameful, preventing open conversations and limiting access to the right information and products. In the communities we work with, we’ve seen first-hand how knowledge is as powerful as the product itself. By providing education along with menstrual cups, we’re not just giving them a product – we’re giving them the confidence and knowledge to manage their periods with dignity.”

For every menstrual cup purchased, Freedom Cups will give a cup to a woman in an underprivileged community. Shop now at www.freedomcups.org.

Coordination Syed Zulfadhli
Photos Freedom Cups
Photography Athirah Annissa
Art Direction Adeline Eng
Hair Aung Apichai / Artistry Studios, using Kevin Murphy Singapore
Makeup Benedict Choo, using YSL Beaute

In honour of International Women’s Day and Singapore’s 60th year, we’re celebrating the extraordinary women who have shaped its story. With Shiseido’s support, we honour the Advocators who are amplifying marginalised voices – and building a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate Singapore.

To learn more about the 60 women who have shaped Singapore as we know it today, click here.