Women around the world are different. Some women have curly hair, or dark skin, or have two different colored eyes, but all women from about the age of 13-51 will have one thing in common: they all get their period. A women's menstrual cycle comes approximately every 28 days and they have no control over it. In order to handle their period, women must use feminine hygiene products like pads or tampons until the week-long cycle is over. Unfortunately, access to these kinds of products is sparse. They are expensive, and not all women have the monetary funds to pay for them.
 |
| Feminine Hygiene Products from Google |
According to an article from the
Huffington Post, a woman will spend on average $11,400 on her period over the course of her lifetime, when you factor in the price of tampons, other feminine products, birth control, acne medication, and other factors. Tampons and pads are taxed as "
non-essential" items, despite the fact that women have no choice as to whether or not they get their period. Because of this, some women are not able to purchase the products they very much need.
A study from
Plan International states that 1 in 10 girls ages 14-21 cannot afford feminine care products. When a woman cannot afford feminine products, she might have to use whatever is around instead; which includes
dirty rags or socks. Exposure to these items for the duration of a woman's period could have detrimental effects on her health. And it is worse in other countries
 |
| Map of Which State has a "Period Tax" from Upworthy |
In 2016, Women's Health released an eye-opening piece entitled "
Around the World in 28 Periods", in which it tells the perspective of women who have their period around the world. A common theme is that there is a stigma around what a period is. Most of the time, it carries around a cloud of shame on women. According to the article, here are the most gruesome and sad facts.
- In Afghanistan, women avoid washing their vaginas during their period because they believe it could cause infertility
- In Iran, they don't use tampons because of the dispanded myth that tampons will break a women's hymen, devirginizing her
- In Japan, women cannot be sushi chefs because "their sense of taste is thrown off by menstruation"
- In Kenya, women cannot get access to their own feminine products, so they use leaves and sticks. Also, Kenyan school girls miss 4.9 school days a month because of their period.
 |
| African Women in School from BBC |
Around the world, it becomes harder and harder to have access to these products, especially in low-income countries. I can't imagine how women in those countries feel. To us, it may seem insane, that these women believe myths or have to use unconventional methods to protect themselves, but it really does happen. A girl's education should not be stopped because of something as minuscule as a period.
Getting access to these products is difficult, and there is a multitude of organizations that are trying to help these women get access to the products they need. There are strides being made in terms of progress. For example, last year the
Federal Bureau of Prisons stated that all women in their facilities would be granted free tampons and pads. Unfortunately, most women are not being held in the Bureau's prisons, but rather state and local jails. Because of this, they aware unaffected and less than
10% of inmates gained anything. According to State Representative Athena Salman, " a16-count box of pads for inmates requires 21 hours’ worth of pay, and a 20-count box of tampons requires 27". She is in the process of promoting her bill that vows to make feminine hygiene products more available to these women.
Overall, women are at a loss. Women have no choice in what happens to their bodies. Often the patriarchal constraints of the world try to trap women into a role of shame and inferiority. Whether it be with feminine care products or other things like reproductive rights and the issue of sexual assault, women have begun to take a stand. The initiatives that are being taken should be spread not just to the continent we live on, but to those places where women really need help from other women. Women are releasing a cry for help and we should really be listening up.
 |
| Picture of Women Standing Together from Google |
Natalie, I think this post is very powerful. I couldn't imagine living without access to hygiene products like you've discussed. It is very sad that women in many countries are discriminated against because of false statements about being a woman. It's true that we don't have a choice to what happens to our bodies; it's just a part of being a woman. It's time that we reach out to women who are not getting the care they deserve and trying to inform them with the truth.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very moving post! I also agree with the fact that women should not be ashamed of something they cannot control. The gruesome facts about the women around the world and how some of them perceive periods is horribly sad. In addition, the fact that our feminine products are taxed is quite a burden on many girls. I feel as though every woman should be able to afford feminine products for their own personal hygiene. Woman should not be ashamed of their bodily functions. They should embrace it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very unique and powerful piece on a topic that is probably not thought of or not spoken about much with others. At first, when I saw the opening image on your post, I was a little hesitant to continue reading, thinking that I didn't feel up to "this" kind of conversation. Now that I have read this post through and through, I am so glad I chose to keep reading. The thought of living in a world where one would have to miss a week of school every month or use whatever is lying on the ground for personal hygiene makes me cringe. I think we definitely take what we have for granted knowing there are women around the world with far worse situations than ours. I am so glad you chose this piece - excellent writing!
ReplyDeleteThe fact that pads and tampons are still considered a "luxury" really annoys me. I saw a protest in the U.K. a few years ago where women all put red paint between their legs protesting against the luxury tax. The facts that you shared regarding menstruation in other countries are very interesting, especially the Japan one which really does not make sense but I have never seen a female sushi chef.
ReplyDeleteWow. This is honestly just a stupid policy to tax tampons. Labeling it "Non-essential" sounds completely unreal! I'm glad to see at least Pennsylvania doesn't tax tampons. I'm so glad that there are programs that are now pushing to provide tampons. Even though 10% of the prisoners at that one place don't actually benefit from the policy, I think it's a step in the right direction. Any step in the right direction, however small, is at least not going in the wrong direction or remaining stagnant!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post, Natalie. There was a lot of activism at my high school about this issue. The Women's History class bought tampons and kept them in bowls in common areas to destigmatize periods and to raise awareness about the fact that they are considered a luxury. There was a lot of criticism about it from students and some teachers and parents but I think it ultimately had a very positive effect on the community.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, I’ll admit, I was shocked and a bit irritated to find out that we spend so much money on our periods, but the fact that women in other countries do not have access to the hygiene products they need makes my indignation about prices and taxes pale in comparison. I feel that this is a pressing issue that needs more attention. At my high school, we had a club called “GirlUp” that focused on fundraising to help get girls in developing countries these necessities.
ReplyDeleteThis has always been something that I've complained about and never understood. As you said a period isn't something any of us can control, it's natural! I remember when the tax was removed in the county where I live back home and that came sort of a victory for women, which is odd because it shouldn't had be taxed in the first place. Regarding international issues, I really am speechless but I really can't imagine not having the products we do here.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I go into a bathroom and I shake my head whenever I see those tampon/pad dispensers. Oh sure, you can take care of an emergency.... for 25 cents. One, why in the world should I pay money for something that's basically period toilet paper, and two, what if I don't have a quarter on me at all times, because periods just happen! I usually carry around a few pads with me in my backpack because it's so inconvenient to maintain female hygiene in public places. Also, why in the world are they taxed as NON-ESSENTIALS? Consider me #triggered.
ReplyDeleteThis post is really powerful. Like you said, periods are natural, women have zero control over them. It's absolutely crazy that hygiene products are taxed because they are considered to be a luxury...I definitely would not call menstruation a luxury. It's surprising to see how other countries view menstruation and limit women because of it. I think that if all of these states in the US want to keep taxing feminine hygiene products, the money at the very least should go to helping women in poorer countries gain access to feminine hygiene products.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post on a serious issue! I think we pioneer a lot for equal treatment, education and rights on a general and broad spectrum. However, something like access to feminine products contributes to, as you mentioned, missed days of school and extra spending that takes away from equality all on its own. I think with worldwide access to these products and recognition of this issue, girls and women will be able to save more of their own money and be their best at school and at work! It won’t fix everything but these issues that seem small can make big differences. Great post!!
ReplyDelete