The Problem in Developing Countries...

There is a huge problem with young women in schools around the globe with their lack of proper menstrual gear, and there isn't an easy fix.

You would think that it would be easy for them to find cloth rags to form something to use - but there is a problem with having enough protection to be able to attend school - this could be because of a lack of underpants or suitable holding garments to put the fabric into, or the lack of suitably absorbent fabrics.... Also the fact that they are there for many hours during the day.  There is also the problem in many places where at school there is no running water or facilities that would allow these young women to clean up themselves while they were menstruating. Plus of course the issues of water to wash the pads when they are at home.

Some women are using newspaper as pads, because they can't afford disposables (they are horrendously priced, compared to income and other expenses in places where they are available). When they aren't in a position to wash something reusable, and cannot afford to purchase disposable products, then a makeshift disposable product must be used.

So why is this a problem now? Why can't they deal with menstruation?

I've seen this asked, and on the surface it's a reasonable question.  As women we've been dealing with menstruation since the beginning of time.... so why are some areas not able to deal with their own menstrual needs?

Disposable pads are actually a fairly recent invention, and are not cherished the world over as you may imagine.  In some places around the world women still today take themselves away and flow onto the ground during their periods... or be in a situation where they are standing (working in the fields etc.), where it is a bit easier to deal with menstruation - like allowing the blood to flow down your legs and washing your body later. But when you bring a change where you now have young women sitting at a school desk for hours, with nothing suitable to contain the flow, it creates problems that were not problems previously.

Another thing to consider is that without schooling, women of menstruating age would most likely be having children and breast feeding which would delay menstruation.....also poor nutrition can lead to loss of periods.... so women in those countries would normally have less periods than western women do anyway... but with our influence that has created schooling opportunities, its brought about this problem for young women. That isn't to say that I don't think there should be schooling.... with more education comes more choices and improved facilities for the community... so that is a good thing! but when people ask why this is all of a sudden a problem - this is one of the reasons why.

Just give them disposables then!

Its true that in many cases disposable products are going to be better suited than items that need washing. But then there is also the problem of if disposables are given, they have to have disposal of the used items. This would most likely have to be done via incineration (burning plastic is not exactly good for the environment, but is the better option over having landfills), and of course, providing constant supply. Aid agencies usually provide shipments of tampons and pads, but it's not nearly enough to cover the needs of every woman. Also think of the space disposable products take up. Usually goods are sent over in shipping containers, where aid is packed in as much as is able to fit. So disposable pads and tampons are going to take up space where other supplies could be. Imagine the money that could be spent on other aid if another alternative was found.

I also imagine it's not a good situation when you're reliant on someone giving you packs of pads - from a self esteem and dignity point of view.

Through this site I am hoping to get donations of pads out to where they are needed - disposable and reusable (focusing mainly on the reusable). There are places where they can successfully be washed and used, but then problems with import and even finding agencies that will accept reusable cloth pads make it difficult.

I think one solution is to do pad making workshops in areas where washing pads can be done - to help the women learn to make pads that will be effective...... and those skills can be passed on to others.... That is something I would like to focus on here too at some stage.

As to what to do in areas where there is not enough water supply - I don't know, it's such a big problem with many issues.... but if giving them tampons allows more young women to stay in school and get an education and thus help to raise the living and educational standards of their people.... even though they can cause TSS, disposal issues, cost money and keep the women reliant on aid packages....then I'm sure that's better than doing nothing.