How Atlas Pearls and Perfect Fit Are Championing Women’s Health, One Pad at a Time

by Tungga Dewi

"If I am on my period, I cannot bake any cakes."
"If my siblings are all female, my period will be painful."

These are just a few of the myths many girls in Indonesia believe about menstruation. In communities where periods are treated as dirty or shameful, conversations about menstruation and women’s health often happen in whispers—or not at all. Many young girls face their first periods unprepared, leading to missed school days and discomfort.

That’s the challenge we at Perfect Fit were built to solve: normalizing conversations around menstruation and women’s health while providing comfortable, healthy, and eco-friendly products. Through a meaningful partnership with Atlas Pearls, our mission has reached even the most remote communities in Indonesia.

Changing Lives, One Partnership at a Time

The connection between Perfect Fit and Atlas Pearls began in May 2022, when I visited the Green School to share insights on period poverty in Indonesia. Cath, from Atlas Pearls, saw a link between our mission and the needs of women and girls in the communities where Atlas Pearls operates. Many women and girls in Eastern Indonesia lacked access to menstrual health education and sustainable period products. A partnership seemed like a perfect fit.

My colleague, Riesa, continued the initiative by organizing our first educational workshops for Atlas Pearls employees in Sanur, Bali. These sessions addressed menstrual myths and taboos while introducing participants to reusable pads and other sustainable products. Conversations that had long been avoided were finally happening, and women felt empowered to learn about their bodies without shame.

Next, we extended the partnership to remote islands in Eastern Indonesia, including Alor, Kukusan, and Aylui—locations where health education is limited. Through workshops and product distributions, more than 450 women and girls received reusable pads, along with the knowledge to manage their periods with confidence.

Championing Women’s Health and Sustainability for the Planet

For me personally, this partnership goes beyond education and products—it’s about uplifting women and girls everywhere. Girls who once felt dirty or uncomfortable during their periods now see menstruation as a natural part of life, not a limitation. And by adopting reusable pads, we are also reducing plastic waste and encouraging mindful consumption.

So far, the impact has been significant

• 450 women and girls reached with education and products
• 1,800 reusable pads distributed, reducing single-use waste and carbon emissions
• Improved confidence among participants to advocate for their health
• A growing awareness of sustainability and how small actions, like using reusable pads, can protect the planet

A Call for More Impactful Partnerships in the Future

The partnership between Perfect Fit and Atlas Pearls shows how much can be achieved when organizations champion their communities. Together, we’ve supported women, promoted health, and fostered sustainable practices in areas that need it most. I hope this is just the beginning of many more collaborations between Perfect Fit and other organizations across the Asia-Pacific. 

To break health taboos, end period poverty, and uplift more women, we need more partners to step up. If we continue working in silos, it could take another 131 years to achieve gender equality (World Economic Forum). But when we come together—for women, for the planet, and for the future—we can create much more meaningful, lasting change for our world.