Wow!
That’s great, isn’t it?
So why am I (also) disappointed?
Because there is so much more to Menstrual Empowerment than products!
“We need to come together as a community to empower and support our students so they can focus on what matters most – learning” said Elorza.
I beg to differ.
Learning is extremely important, indeed. But it’s not what matters most.
Self esteem, positive body image, an understanding of our cycle, and a thriving to live in sync with it — may well be as paramount to a girl’s life as learning is, if not more. The absence of menstrual products can certainly hinder learning, yet the availability of them – in itself – does nothing to increase girls’ understanding of their body’s rhythm, or how to live in harmony with it.
Council President Sabina Matos said: “If we are to provide young women with the tools they need for success; feminine hygiene must be a part of that conversation.”
Absolutely!
Yet the conversation must Not Stop Here!
Products availability is a base line, which I am truly excited to see provided in Providence. It’s time! I truly hope that other cities – all over the U.S. and around the world – will follow suit.
But lets continue…
Let’s not stop at the foundations!
Let’s build the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors comprising of educating girls about their body and their menstrual cycle; Lets openly combat period-shaming, taboos, and negativity, which cultures around the world bombard girls and women with — for generations; Lets teach our girls to recognize these messages and replace them with empowering ones: about their body, their cycle, their femaleness; And lets build a roof over these floors, anchored in the foundation of products.
Lets welcome our girls into womanhood by witnessing, honoring, and celebrating them as they step from girlhood into womanhood.
Products are important, indeed, and I am grateful to the corporations donating them. It’s a joyful beginning. But I will not rest until the building blocks of empowerment are freely given to today’s girls — tomorrow’s women!
We need nothing less in order to succeed!
Menstrual Empowerment resources:
for Girls – click HERE
for Mothers & Educators – click HERE
3 Responses
Exactly and very well put. Eventually the conversation needs to open up to the blood mysteries and that the menstrual cycle is an access point into a wombyn’s sacred, divine self where she can flow with her spirit, receive divine wisdom, tune into her body, mind and soul with a sacred harmony, and be the empowered wombyn the Goddess intended us to be.It’s coming!
I agree. This is a first step. Another important early step is to inform young women about which products are safe (for body and environment) and what all the options are. And the donating company’s are not the best ones to bring this information.
One way to diminish the negativity is to work linguistically.
The words ‘Menstrual Hygiene Day’ implies that menstruation is dirty, also it sounds clinical.
How about ‘Menstrual Awareness Day’ or ‘Menstrual Care Day’.
Yes, I fully agree that the term “Menstrual Hygiene Day” implies women’s blood and body are “unclean”. I like your suggestions of ‘Menstrual Awareness Day’ or ‘Menstrual Care Day’. We can all begin to use them, as we create consciousness with our words!