As the UK’s first period charity, Binti has been exploring period stigma for 8 years. We have explored cultural, religious, patriarchal and matriarchal beliefs to look at where the stigma and taboos stem from.
The manufacturers are also to blame. Why have they continued with the hush-hush code language to continue and cement the shame with menstruation? Why has the water and sanitation sector not taken the lead and changed the narrative? Why have they used blue liquid in adverts to show absorption of their products instead of red?
Why are they called sanitary products and not menstrual or period products?
Do men not know that people as young as 7 years bleed every month for four decades of their lives and are expected to learn on the job? Is period blood the only blood that is not borne of violence but the one that frightens them the most?
Why are they called sanitary products and not menstrual or period products? When you have access to them, there is nothing unsanitary about menstruating. In fact, it’s considered the fifth vital sign. If I were to have an accident and be rushed into hospital with a broken leg, the doctor would most certainly ask me when my last period was.
Why do we whisper the word “period” when we are discussing our cycles with even our friends? Don’t believe me? Try the conversation. We are so brainwashed into believing nobody should see, hear, smell or know what we are menstruating.
We still shove period products up our sleeves. What if a colleague sees our pad? God forbid. In many cultures around the globe, the rituals that were once designed to help women rest during their menstrual cycles have now warped into taboos restricting them from such things as entering temples.
Language is very important. Many countries have lost the actual biological word “menstruation” and instead, use code words or vernacular that suggest periods are dirty or should not be talked about.
For example, in The Gambia, menstruation no longer exists either in Wolof or Mandinka. Instead, they use words that translate to washing or monthly. The same in Punjabi, it’s become “monthly” or a woman’s space for a baby.
We asked Wash United several years ago to change Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28 May to Menstrual Health Day. But they didn’t understand the importance. Hygiene suggests dirty; health confirms that normal periods are a sign of good health.
Is it really confusing to stop calling them sanitary products and use menstrual/period products? Even for us as the experts, it took some time to take a determined stance, but when we did, the liberation and freedom of pride with our periods soon followed suit.
So, we wholeheartedly thank Asda Stores for renaming their aisles with Period Products. Call them what they are. Don’t worry, men might ignore the aisle for now, but it’s gender-friendly and completely on point. Asda is bloody leading the way.
One day we hope that other retailers follow suit with Morrisons, who work with Binti International to provide free period products to anyone that needs them.
We all use toilet paper in between buying period products. One of the most civilised countries globally, yet our women use toilet paper to manage our periods. Why? Because some time ago in the 60/70’s somebody decided that we must have toilet paper, and soap in all public loos.
It’s time to include period products because we never quite know when we might start, just as our urine and poop breaks are not always predetermined.
Surrey County Council became the first council in England to do the same with period products and collection bins in 55 locations across the county. Surrey also believes that eradicating stigma starts with using the right language, not shying away from the conversation and using menstrual dignity to pave the way for a sustainable societal change.