I came across a tweet on Twitter. it was centered on sanitary towels being free. The Twitter user made the statement that
“Saying pads should be free because it’s not a choice to menstruate is like saying food should be free because it’s not a choice to feed”
Now I was about to type a long-ass reply because of anger but I didn’t.
I read the replies to the tweet and it was disappointing. Not like I expected more.
A point was raised in the comments about how condoms are free and he said condoms protect both male and female sexually. So if men and women saw their period it’s fine for it to be free?
Now here is what I think about this tweet.
First of all. Periods and hunger can’t be compared; I don’t know why In his man head he thinks it’s a good comparison but alright.
Now, him saying food should be free if pads will buttress the point we daughters of Chimamanda have been making on Twitter which is that society hates women.
It’s not justified for pads to be free because it affect only women but justified for food to be free. After all, it affects everyone. If it does not affect everyone it’s not a problem.
Moving on.
He also commented that pads are given for free. That’s like once in a year or what. I know of people that cater to these women and get pads distributed to them and it’s amazing but saying it as if it’s enough (I’m not in any way saying they are not doing enough, they are amazing and I deeply APPRECIATE them) if the government should support these people. Imagine how easier life will get for thousands of girls.
For those who do not completely understand what I’m talking about, allow me to explain what girls in rural areas go through during their period.
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Effects of lack of sanitary towels on Nigerian girls
Adolescence is a life-changing time for women, the period when lots of changes happen to a girl’s body, the period she starts discovering womanhood and understanding how her body works.
Thousands of girls in primary school do not fully understand the concept of menstruating because it is seen as a shameful thing to talk about, the stigma associated with it is worse in these rural communities.
There is also a sense of shame associated with the period, a process natural to every woman. SHAME, so before they notice their period they understand that since their mothers are not talking about it, they shouldn’t.
I’ve heard of all sorts that these girls use when they see their period from clothes to the back of maize just to absorb the blood! these can have severe health effects later on. The pieces of clothes used do not absorb blood like pads so instead they get wet and create a breeding ground for bacterial infection, itching is also almost inevitable.
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Cases where they share one pad in two are also common and, sadly, the foundation of womanhood has to be draining to these young girls mentally and physically.
Most of these young girls miss classes for a week or less every month because they can easily get stained in school and will be shamed for it by their peers, they rather stay at home and take care of themselves even with poor water facilities but it will be better than the school.
According to the Two Feet Project research, a girl absent from school for four days (in a month) loses 13 learning days, equivalent to two weeks of learning in every school term. In an academic year (nine months) a girl loses 39 learning days, equivalent to six weeks of learning time. A girl in primary school between grades 6 and 8 (three years) loses 18 learning weeks out of 108 weeks. Within the four years of high school, a girl can lose 156 learning days equivalent to almost 24 weeks out of 144 weeks of learning in high school. It is a great amount of time to be missing in school because of menstruation and the inability to afford sanitary products.
If contraceptives are accessible for free in clinics and hospitals then the same should be for sanitary towels. The use of contraceptives is optional but sanitary is not. Sanitary should be made free to dignify the womanhood of the young underprivileged African girls who are growing up. Their empowerment begins with the recognition of this primary need in their lives and making sure it does not hinder their education or cause them lifelong health implications. – My Black Matters
It’s really sad when someone says pads should not be free because it’s not a problem to men.
If you will love to donate pads to young girls here’s where to start
You can support these people by donating sanitary aids or money.
Thank you for helping a girl make her life easier ❤
What’s your take on comparing periods & hunger? Heard of other disturbing things girls use during their periods? Let’s talk and enlighten one another.
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