Surfing the Crimson Wave.
We Shark week survivors all make it through unique body battles. Through light rain or heavy storms. Not knowing where or when the battle will begin or if you even have any weapons to defeat it! And the torture of an increased hormone dose; the list goes on… But we do this all whilst still trying to continue with our lives, going to obligations with crippling cramps or the worry that the battle has made it past the barricades! So why with all this that we go through MONTHLY have we had to pay for the “luxury” of the fight? Or hide that we are even in the battle? Let us start to bust that stigma.
As of the 1st of January 2021, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the “Tampon Tax” (A nickname that applies to all sanitary products) has been officially abolished. The sexist law that charged VAT (Value-added-tax) on sanitary products in the UK is now no more. Hurray! A move to end period poverty in the UK. In addition to these, free sanitary products are being rolled out in schools, colleges, and hospitals. Period poverty is the phrase used to explain how those in low-income households do not always have the funds to afford or access period products. These individuals sometimes turn to less suitable methods of dealing with that time of the month. This can lead to missed lessons and ultimately impact futures.
In 2020 Scotland became the first in the world to make period products free, making that dreaded visit from Aunt Flo a lot easier. Lidl Ireland has also joined the team letting girls ride the cotton pony, free of charge! As of the 19th of April 2021, sanitary products will be free in their Ireland stores. According to the Body form website “In the UK, 1 in 10 girls can’t afford to buy menstrual products, while 1 in 7 have struggled to afford them” and “over the course of a year, 137,700 children in the UK miss school because of period poverty.” The impact this can have on those who must wear the red badge of courage every month is a tragedy and wholly unfair.
Not to mention the taboo surrounding Mother nature’s gift. Going to an all-girls school people would still take it upon themselves to mock those who had caught the girl flu for the first time. This natural cycle we all would get was something to be ashamed of. I cannot imagine what it would have been like to go to a mixed-gender school. Where not everyone would be joined by that shared battle in the end. The Body form website shows statistics from a “survey of more than 1,000 girls, nearly half were embarrassed by their period”. Which is also shown to impact girls learning and attendance, another branch of Period poverty.
Pantone and INTIMINA have joined forces to break the taboo surrounding periods. Being on the rag is not shameful or mysterious. It is a natural body function. Contrary to what sanitary product adverts would have you believe the red wedding is not blue! Therefore, Pantone has created “an energising and dynamic warm red shade encouraging period positivity”. They want those who check in to the red roof inn to feel proud of who they are and what their bodies can do!
Whilst we are at it let's drop the nicknames and start calling it what it is. A menstrual cycle. The monthly annoyance that one day might let us bring life to the world… If we choose. By educating children that menstruation is not dirty or something to be embarrassed about, we can break the stigma. It is natural! And with more and more strides to make our menstrual cycles less of a financial burden, we can focus on the battle at hand and make more leaps towards our goals. Our menstrual cycle conquerors are powerful forces and let’s not forget it! Anything you can do I can do bleeding!