People have been ovary-acting (pun-intended) over periods ever since it was discovered that women got them every month. And frankly, it’s sad to think that even in 2015, discussions around menstruation and feminine hygiene products are kept so hush-hush because of the shame and embarrassment that’s still associated with it.
If you are a person with a uterus and are sick and tired of feeling ashamed of what biology naturally requires our bodies to do every month, there is good news for us.
This week, Twitter has been flooded with people posting selfies with tampons, using the hashtag #JustATampon to help break the stigma and taboo surrounding periods.
Don’t panic it’s #justatampon @PlanUK pic.twitter.com/tLfE7HerGm
— Carol Smillie (@carolsmillie1) June 8, 2015
The online campaign, which was launched by global children’s charity Plan UK and news site V Point, not only works to raise awareness but also money for menstrual products to be sent to girls in underprivileged countries all over the world.
I don’t need tampons any more but others do. Support #justatampon -break taboos – and…more info coming up pic.twitter.com/WDW8aS4lkg
— Jenny Eclair (@jennyeclair) June 8, 2015
“Around the world, millions of girls face discrimination just for being girls,” the campaign reads. “One way this manifests itself is through poor access to quality menstrual health and hygiene.”
Oh… #JustATampon I thought you said Justice Tampon. @PlanUK pic.twitter.com/xWgC3iKQaL
— Hannah Ballou (@hannahfballou) June 8, 2015
As devastating as the number sounds, only 12% of women and girls have access to feminine hygiene products worldwide. This fact unfortunately leads to other problems, especially for young girls who get bullied and even have to skip school when she gets her period.
Supporting @PlanUK #JustATampon campaign. Breaking the stigma around tampons with my beard. pic.twitter.com/gFOTTLmEXo
— David Tapp (@David_Tapp) June 8, 2015
According to the campaign, just one donation will help supply a year’s worth of sanitary towels for a young girl in Uganda.
Guys, it’s just a piece of cotton on a string…#JustATampon pic.twitter.com/GXg8B7kIkh
— Cathy Newman (@cathynewman) June 8, 2015
“Donations will help tackle discrimination faced by girls globally, not just around menstrual hygiene but other issues they face including child marriage and female genital mutilation,” reads Plan.
Now that’s something we can get behind!
they should also really push the diva cup…especially in lower income countries!