The Plan UK has partnered with V Point News to challenge the taboo around menstruation, using the social media campaign #JustATampon to raise awareness and funds for vital menstrual health work. “The stigma and embarrassment attached to women’s periods contributes to gender inequality worldwide,” states The Plan UK. “Around the world, millions of…
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On Monday, May 25, young activist Subeta Vimalarajah appeared on Q&A to talk to Joe Hockey about the ‘tampon tax’. She and a group of fellow activists had sent in a video question, the group holding a giant tampon in their hands: ‘Mr Hockey, STOP TAXING MY PERIOD!’ The tampon was signed by supporters. ‘Do…
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As feminists, we believe women should have choices. We believe nothing should stand in the way of a woman living life as best she can. For the half a million Australian women diagnosed with the debilitating disease endometriosis, their autonomy is currently being compromised by pharmaceutical company Bayer. Bayer is considering bringing the drug…
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For $29.95, HelloFlo ships period starter kits with supplies they’ve deemed necessary for new menstruators. Marketed to parents as a gift for their girls, the kit includes pads, panty liners, a canvas pouch to carry supplies, guides for parents and girls and a beaded bracelet. The bracelet has left me scratching my head. Is it…
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In the 1978 issue of Ms magazine Gloria Steinem wrote her famous article ‘If Men Could Menstruate’ in which she stated that ‘menstruation [for men] would become an enviable, worthy, masculine event: Men would brag about how long and how much. Young boys would talk about it as the envied beginning of manhood. Gifts, religious ceremonies, family…
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The latest trend that’s been heating up Twitter, blogs and online articles alike is something called ‘free bleeding.’ It’s a ‘disturbing new trend … in which a woman who is menstruating chooses to use feminine products no longer, in exchange for allowing her blood to flow “freely” out of her body, staining her clothing and…
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What do you think of this: American Apparel ‘Period Power’ T shirt? American Apparel has collaborated with artist, Petra Collins, and produced this T-shirt featuring a graphic illustration of a woman masturbating while her vagina oozes blood. Collins is known for her work that explores feminine sexuality and teen girl culture, with half the proceeds…
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This post was sponsored by JuJu Menstrual Cups, but all opinions are held by the author. If you have a question about sponsored posts, email Zoya at [email protected]. * So, periods. They’re not the most fun are they? Even the most deeply feminist, empowered, confident, happy woman has to admit that bleeding for a week…
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When Mia Klitsas gets an idea, she doesn’t waste any time. Sick of her tampons getting destroyed in the bottom of her handbag, she created a company to sell tampons in a durable, purse-sized tin. Six months later, Woolworths was stocking her Moxie sanitary products and she hasn’t looked back. ‘Had I known what was…
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Russia could be the first European country to introduce paid leave for menstruation if a bill is passed in the state Duma. The bill, introduced by Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) member, Mikhail Degtyaryov would see women paid for two days off during their period. These two days would effectively equate to 24 in…
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When I got my period for the first time, I was 13 and in year 7 at school. I felt it as I walked home from the bus stop with my sister, and told my mum as soon as I got in the door. My older sister was sent to show me how to use…
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Local supermarket, 8pm. I’m in tracksuit pants and no bra. The checkout operator smirks as he puts my items in a plastic bag. Two blocks of Caramello. Panadol. Tampons. The glint in his eye says: ‘I know about your unwelcome guest’. The answering glint in my eye says: ‘If you don’t wipe that grin off…
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My friend and I are situated in the sanitary aisle at Safeway. Vibrant packets of pink, blue and green line the shelf, tiny letters titled ‘tampons’,‘pads’ , or ‘liners’ stare back at us impatiently. A woman with her babe is situated further up the aisle, surveying the range of Pantene products, but other than that,…
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So it’s that time of the month and you’re feeling crappy. If you were living in any other historical period you may just well find yourself segregated from the rest of your community, you know, just to make you feel good about it. Oh, and you’ll be told that your menses is poisonous. The belief…
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