When a Period Ends More Than A Sentence
Thatcher Mweu is a high school sophomore at Choate Rosemary Hall, a prestigious New England boarding school. Two years ago, she was living in a rural Kenyan village. Introducing the new class of 2011, Choate's headmaster told the school of its deepening diversity--there was a girl who had never been in an elevator before. What he didn't know is that Thatcher had never seen a tampon before, either.
Despite the fact that half the world menstruates, most people overlook the serious repercussions of a lack of affordable sanitary supplies in developing countries. The reason? Most people don't know that it is a problem. Others find the subject embarrassing. Even those who do understand think there are more pressing problems at hand. Why spend money on pads when AIDS remains to be solved, when countries desperately need infrastructure, when the economy is collapsing? Because it turns out that providing pads does much more than prevent embarrassing stains. It is a simple solution that can change the standing of a gender, and thus an economy, across a continent.
In the US, sanitary pads first became widespread in 1921, tampons in 1936. As a result girls and women had the opportunity to fully participate in school, sports, and the workforce. These products equaled freedom. And this is why many women say tampons are one of the greatest inventions of all time. They effectively reduced the inconvenience, opportunity cost, and stigma of menstruation.
But in developing countries, periods continue to be a serious handicap. According to UNICEF, ten percent of school-age African girls miss school because of a lack of access to affordable sanitary products. In Rwanda, it's much worse. According to on-the-ground research by Sustainable Health Enterprises (SHE), half the girls are missing school due to menstruation and the main reason given is that sanitary pads are too expensive. For women, 24% miss work--up to 45 days per year--for the same reason. This not only limits girls' educational and women's professional achievement, but leads to a significant economic loss for nations. SHE estimates that a lack of affordable sanitary pads reduces GDP by $115 million per year in Rwanda alone.
There are also serious health repercussions of not having pads. In Asia, many women still use rags; less fortunate ones use newspapers, banana leaves, even sand or ash. While rags were common before the pad was invented, the problem in developing countries is that often women don't have access to clean water to wash them. And the taboo of menstruation means that many women cannot hang their rags to dry in the open. So, instead, they hide them in dark, damp places where no one will find them. As one might imagine, infections are rampant.
The first step is to destigmatize menstruation. Bringing periods into the open won't be easy. The taboo of menstruation is embedded in our religions, culture, and history. The Quran declares that menstruating women "are a hurt and a pollution." Indian women are exiled from their own homes. Orthodox Jewish women are forbidden to have sex. French housewives can't make mayonnaise. In ancient Rome, Pliny the Elder wrote that contact with menstrual blood "turns new wine sour, crops touched by it become barren, grafts die, ..., the edge of steel and the gleam of ivory are dulled." Today, Pliny seems ridiculous, but discrimination and ignorance remain.
To change attitudes means breaking the silence. Our hope is that this article will help start a dialogue with the women and men around you. Almost every woman remembers her first period--where and when it happened, who, if anyone, she told, and even what she was wearing. Girls should know the stories of the women in their family. Sharing these stories will help mothers and daughters (and dads, too) talk more openly about this natural process.
Equally important is to change the economy of menstruation. Sanitary pads should be affordable and safe. This is an investment not only in women, but economies.
Thirty years ago, Gloria Steinem published one of her most famous essays, If Men Could Menstruate. There would be no taboos. Men would brag about how long and how much. And sanitary supplies would be federally funded and free. It's time we do a better job helping our sisters around the world. P&G is contributing $5 million over five years to provide sanity supplies in Africa. SHE is jump-starting local businesses to produce affordable sanitary supplies around the globe. Individually, we can all help end the taboo by talking. These are the ways to truly celebrate International Women's Day.
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I guess I never gave my period that much thought. I've never been embarrassed, angry, upset, annoyed, or otherwise changed my habits because I menstruate. Its not that my mother and grandmother didn't try to convince me otherwise, I just never bought into the whole "woman's curse thing." However, I'll bet that if I didn't have access to hygiene products then things would be different. It is a shame that a simple biologic process is preventing millions of women from reaching their full potential.
Here in Australia, debating the Goods and Services Tax introduction a few years back, the argument was that sanitary products are not a "luxury" and "cosmetic" item but are a necessity, therefore should not attract the GST. That was defeated. Unlike breakfast cereals, uncooked meat and raw nuts which are GST-free, tampons and pads are categorized as luxury cosmetic choice items.
That's how ignorant men are.
I am a woman, so I understand this issue. Our first instinct, is to say, "Oh, these poor creatures, I can't imagine how horrible it must be..." . And then we GIVE them something to solve the problem. Personally, I think it's great to want to help others where help is needed. That said, how far should we be go in promoting learned helplessness?
Can't the women in these countries speak up for themselves? Are they so repressed and reviled that they have no power at all to control even their most personal requirements? And if that is the case, is it really going to help if we just continue to follow the philosophy that we, as American, are responsible for everyone?
It wasn't that long ago that women in this country were treated as subordinate, but we initiated change and made it better. I don't think we are helping anyone by just handing over product- there is a deeper issue of attitude and subordination in these cultures that isn't going to be addressed by giving them a box of maxi's, because as soon as they run out, you have the same situation yet again.
You can bet if I had to 'pack sand' for something like that, I'd be talking to the other women in my community to come up with a different plan. That's where the solutions are.
One can not pull on bootstraps if one has no boots.
Why can't they make their own boots???
"Are they so repressed and reviled that they have no power at all to control even their most personal requirements?"
We have a winner! Yes. In much of the middle east and sub-saharan Africa many women are in precisely that state relative to the men they live among.
In this country a woman standing up for her rights never meant death or disfigurement. So with no power at all keeps them having no power at all and just because the women are so put down we as humans, not just Americans, should do nothing? Just leave them be never to have strength to evolve as people?
If we give them the sanitary supplies they need and they can go to school and become educated maybe then they can learn to rise. Because once the women start to become educated they will begin to have their own power. Until then we have to help.
"Are they so repressed and reviled that they have no power at all to control even their most personal requirements?"
Yes! In fact, in many of these same countries, there is also no sanitation, not even outhouses. Women must hold their waste all day until the cover of darkness, or face beating, death or imprisonment for "immoral immodest behavior."
"is it really going to help if we just continue to follow the philosophy that we, as American, are responsible for everyone?"
As far as Africa is concerned, we aren't even close to having such a philosophy. Our failure to provide real assistance to Africa, and to insist on our allies to treat African nations fairly, respectfully, is our great shame.
I thing the government should spend billions to solve this problem.
This problem is as close as Mexico, where in villages many girls drop out of school when they start menstruating because they have no sanitary pads and the rural schools often have no water or flush toilets. Their families marry them off as soon as possible after they start to menstruate to "solve" the problem.
If you want to improve the economy in Mexico so that fewer illegal immigrants will come to the US and fewer people will turn to the narcotics industry, letting girls continue their education beyond sixth or seventh grade so that their talents and training can add to the economy would be a huge step.
I can't get on board with this, because plastic disposable pads and wood-pulp tampons are a health risk that is only recently being considered. The dramatic increase in endometriosis, infertility, and other reproductive issues can be traced to the increasing use of disposable pads, tampons, and diapers.
I always became violently ill with my period. Until I was 34 and discovered washable flannel pads. I was never sick after that, and my periods weren't anywhere near as heavy. But 20 years of disposables had taken it's toll, and at 36 I had a radical hysterectomy because my insides were impacted with endometriosis.
Most women who use washable pads report minimal to no discomfort or illness. Countries where disposables are not used have barely a fraction of the above issues.
Women around the world need clean water.
You have enlighted me this morning! I had never heard of flannel pads, so I looked them up on the internet. Through doing that, I also found about sea sponge tampons. Have you heard of them? Not me! According to the advertisement, they are a rage in Europe. Of course, it IS an advertisement, but, still, I've never heard of them or seen them on this side of the pond.
Sea sponges for this use are available at virtually any natural food store. I used flannel and sea sponges my whole menstruating life and loved it. The choice is well known in women's alternative communities.
I strongly agree with the poster who suggests Diva cups be the product distributed to women. It is completely reusable, washable, easy to conceal. There's no question in my mind that P&G are interested in new captive consumers.
In terms of use, have at least 2-3 of the sponges. You can walk out the house with one inserted, and a clean one in a baggie. When it's time to change out, you can put the used one in the baggie without washing if you have to (wash asap), but I washed mine in public bathroom sinks many times. Storage: Good if each sponge has its own little jar at home, floating in vinegar in between uses/periods (rinse sponge and squeeze out before inserting). Ensures hygienic. Replace the sponges every couple of years or as they wear out.
On the occasions when someone walked in to a public washroom and saw me washing my sponge out, I would apologize for the visual and explain I was washing my menstrual sponge out, women were surprised but usually enlightened by the experience-- I'm not sure if anyone ever freaked out on me, don't think so. Many women told me they were going to try it. We should not be hiding these choices.
I absolutely loved using flannel pads. LOVED them. No discomfort, irritation, expense, and no odor. That odor we associate with our periods is from the plastic pads. I no longer have periods, but still use flannel panty liners. When people first hear of flannel, they think it's unsanitary
Do try them. They will change your life. Use a large folded piece of flannel (from a men's shirt, for example) to see how it feels before you invest in any, or make your own. My favorites were from Many Moons. http://man
Very informative and well done article.
Ladies, the male-only way just is not working.
Time to step up.
I find it amazing that we're still talking about the stigma of menstruation and of being a woman in general in this day and age! I highly recommend the book: "circle of stones" for every woman to be given as a gift for every girl reaching her period. It's not dirty/bad/evil, etc....it'
Bloggers: Even those who do understand think there are more pressing problems at hand.
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That's because there ARE more pressing problems at hand. You actually mention the MOST pressing problem in your blog: lack of access to clean water. Knowledge experts tell us that if we can solve that problem, a lot of others will be much more manageable.
As for changing embedded cultural and religous attitudes towards menstruation: Lots of luck with that project! Maybe you should start by having a public debate with Rabbi Schmuley Boteach, who likes debating and blogs on HuffPo semi-regularly. He won't have sex with his "unclean" wife for several weeks each month, just like other Orthodox Jews.
Mrs. Boteach may consider that a blessing.
When I was young I was a 'tomboy'. I played outside most of the time, climbing trees and pretending to be a horse. When my period started, my mother told me I could not do any of those things any more. I was a 'young lady'. Nobody asked me if I wanted the stupid period. I felt a lot of resentment towards my body and God. Why me? I didn't want this kind of life. I am so happy now that I am an 'old lady' and I don't have to worry anymore! Freedom from unwanted body functions is true freedom!!
OMG,agreed
I'm sitting here blushing. Isn't that silly?
It's true. There is this discomfort about the topic. And I'm lucky I guess to be a woman in a culture that at least doesn't banish me to a hut or makes it impossible for me to at least keep myself fresh as a daisy.
I'm 46 and to this day I feel a little embarrassed in a drug store. It's only been in recent years that I can walk up to a counter with a box of anything if there's a man behind the counter. I used to toss the package of "wings" things back on the shelf and fly out of the store to another shop with a woman clerk.
And I don't know where it comes from. My mother was always very uncomfortable about it. She told me what I need to know with much stuttering. She came home from a store once in tears, sobbing, because she was buying the economy pack of something or other (remember those giant blue or purple boxes?) and my father's business associate was RIGHT THERE behind her in line. You'd have though he'd seen her shopping buck naked..... She also objected to my playing winter sports in junior high because it wasn't "a good time for it". She viewed it as enfeebling. So I felt feeble.
I'll be interested to read what other women write here. Unless they're too embarrassed. ;-)
I KNOW God must be a man...and mensturati
Thank you for starting SHE
The first thing I'm doing after I die is to demand to speak to the Grand Architect about the bizarre design he inflicted on women's bodies. Imagine running a toxic waste pipe through a playground.
He did the same thing to guys too.
This whole article and the comments have been very enlightening.
Just wanted to add that in most African cultures, inserting anything into your vagina is just not an option. This makes things like the Diva Cup or tampons impossible to introduce. I live in Kenya and most of my adult female friends only started using tampons recently. I wish more companies would donate pads, but it is only a stop-gap solution - our plan, which I believe SHE shares, is that local manufacturing would enable affordable pads to be in the market while providing jobs. Only in this way would we achieve a sustainable solution.
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