don't send 'sposie pads to Africa! do Good instead

[Piglet68]

I'm jumping into this forum to make a shameless plug for a wonderful new project I've recently discovered. You've all heard those ads by Always pads and Tampax tampons about sending their products to girls in Africa so they don't have to miss school? The last thing these communities need is the hassle of disposing of such waste and the expense of becoming dependent on these products after the companies have left.

Check out Goods4Girls, a project put together by a mama in response to these ads whereby women will donate cloth pads they sew themselves (or if you don't sew you can help out in other ways). Send money, post a link on your blog, spread the word!

Thanks for listening!

[flowmom]

Piglet, I heard a CBC radio interview with an African woman who was involved in a project to supply disposable sanitary products to African women. She made a very good case for the need for sanitary products. After hearing that program I emailed the program producer saying that I thought it was crazy to send disposable products to Africa because of the expense and difficulty of disposal (it will end up in the river in many places ). I haven't checked out your links, but I don't think that cloth pads are very helpful either. The women there already have access to cloth rags in most cases, but access to water for laundering is an issue. Also, there may be taboo issues with laundering menstrual products in communal laundering areas (not sure?). Anyway, after listening to the interview I came to the conclusion that Diva and Keeper cups would be most helpful to those women because they are re-usable, can be cleaned and sterilized in a small amount of water, and are light and small to store and transport. I guess the only disadvantages are the cost (perhaps offset by shipping costs?) and the learning curve.

[Autumn Mama]

Originally Posted by Piglet68

I'm jumping into this forum to make a shameless plug for a wonderful new project I've recently discovered. You've all heard those ads by Always pads and Tampax tampons about sending their products to girls in Africa so they don't have to miss school? The last thing these communities need is the hassle of disposing of such waste and the expense of becoming dependent on these products after the companies have left.

That makes my blood boil! I didn't realize that companies were *enticing* women into dependency like that! It sounds so much like the cigarette industry's tactics!

Originally Posted by Ksenia

After hearing that program I emailed the program producer saying that I thought it was crazy to send disposable products to Africa because of the expense and difficulty of disposal (it will end up in the river in many places ). I haven't checked out your links, but I don't think that cloth pads are very helpful either. The women there already have access to cloth rags in most cases, but access to water for laundering is an issue. Also, there may be taboo issues with laundering menstrual products in communal laundering areas (not sure?). Anyway, after listening to the interview I came to the conclusion that Diva and Keeper cups would be most helpful to those women because they are re-usable, can be cleaned and sterilized in a small amount of water, and are light and small to store and transport. I guess the only disadvantages are the cost (perhaps offset by shipping costs?) and the learning curve.

I wonder if anyone else has had that insight, too Ksenia? I like your idea.

[Piglet68]

There's a problem with Diva Cups. First, many girls are circumcised or worse, sewn up, so that using anything internal is impossible. Second, they can be killed for having a broken hymen, and there is apparently some doubt as to whether menstrual cups can guarantee no changes to the hymen.

I think there's also a difference between using rags and using a cloth pad that is designed for menstrual flow and has a waterproof barrier. There was some issue for girls who don't have/wear panties, and the organizer is working with the aid organizations for a solution (old fashioned garters, for example).

The question of water supply is certainly an issue, but I think cloth still trumps disposables. Apparently waste is incinerated in most of these areas, and I'd rather see them burning up used cloth pads (if they absolutely couldn't wash them) instead of chemical-laden tampax and always pads. Also, once the girls get used to using cloth, it wouldn't be a stretch for them to modify their own collections of fabrics to make similar products for themselves, as opposed to having to find money to buy these products (which, of course, is what the product companies are hoping for - to brand a whole new generation of consumers).

[flowmom]

Originally Posted by Piglet68

There's a problem with Diva Cups. First, many girls are circumcised or worse, sewn up, so that using anything internal is impossible. Second, they can be killed for having a broken hymen, and there is apparently some doubt as to whether menstrual cups can guarantee no changes to the hymen.

Wouldn't tampons have the same issue ?

[Piglet68]

Apparently they are not sending Tampons. They are sending proceeds from the sale of Tampax products.

Turns out there's a HUGE thread about this in the News and Current Events forum. I've just read through all of it. You can skip most of the discussion as it got derailed into various rants about education. My post on page 11 summarizes most of the relevant objections.

[Crystal Pegasus]

Originally Posted by Piglet68

Apparently they are not sending Tampons. They are sending proceeds from the sale of Tampax products.

Turns out there's a HUGE thread about this in the News and Current Events forum. I've just read through all of it. You can skip most of the discussion as it got derailed into various rants about education. My post on page 11 summarizes most of the relevant objections.

Hmmm... I can't access that as I haven't been a member long enough. Pity, it sounded interesting.