There’s been an Always ad on television lately regarding how “girls living in sub-Saharan Africa can miss up to four days of school each month because they lack the basic necessity of sanitary protection and other resources to manage their periods.” Apparently, Always maxi pads aims to do something about this. This struck me as an odd initiative, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt and went online to hunt down the P&G (Always’ parent company) news release on the subject:
According to research, 1 in 10 school-age African girls do not attend school during menstruation or drop out at puberty because of the lack of clean and private sanitation facilities in schools. And, if a girl has no access to protective materials or if the materials she has are unreliable and cause embarrassment, she may be forced to stay at home while menstruating. This absence of approximately 4 days every 4 weeks may result in the girl missing 10 to 20 percent of her school days. The Protecting Futures program will provide products and services to help keep girls in school as well as help foster the overall health and well-being of every child in the targeted school communities.
The bloggers at Red Tent Sisters (a fantastic Toronto-based business dedicated to serving the reproductive and sexual health needs of women) weigh in on the Always campaign, its pros and cons:
1) I think it’s great that they’re going to be improving the sanitation facilities, providing nutritious feeding programs [using local, sustainable food sources?], and providing health support.
2) I don’t have a problem with education and hopefully increasing openness about women’s reproductive and sexual health but I do have concerns about mainstream menstrual product companies doing it!
Ellen Macro, the resident blogger at Red Tent Sisters, continues on to share the following concerns:
3) If only 1/10 girls miss school, what are the other 9/10 doing already?
4) Not only is P&G going to “help” the 1/10 girls but they are probably going to influence the other girls who already have sustainable methods of “managing” their menses.
5) P&G is going to make all/most girls reliant on imported products which cost money, drain resources, pollute the environment when produced and create a nightmare for disposal.
The blog entry is certainly worth a read because it explores “the whole question of it being a BAD thing that young women are missing some time from school during their menstruation” and suggests “a world in which women’s cycles are honoured and respected.” Thoughts?
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42 comments
I noticed these ads today too. I was mostly thinking about concern #5 when I was watching it. Who doesn't want to support educating girls? But why on earth are we equating that with pushing costly imported disposable products instead of sustainable reusable pads or cups?
"P&G.; We will be your expensive band-aid solution."
Posted by Catherine
December 13, 2007, 11:17 PM
While I hadn't even thought about Catherine's point in sending products that aren't disposable (very good point!), I must admit this ad changed my buying habits. I think it's a brilliant campaign that plays on the notion of women empowering other women and I imagine Always will see a bump in sales. I think it's a terrific example of cause marketing in this day of corporate giving.
www.speakmediablog.com
Posted by Jennifer in ATL
December 18, 2007, 10:55 AM
This advertisement has made me aware. I too consider consciously when purchasing products for myself, in hopes it assists the young girls. But we need to find product which are indigenous to that part of the world and is safe and inexpensive.
Posted by Taranjeet
December 29, 2007, 5:52 PM
This is what people are doing in India. http://www.mum.org/indiapad.htm
All children should have basic sanitation available in their schools, not just the girls. I think they should emphasize that about the project.
Posted by M
January 2, 2008, 11:09 AM
hey. I recently saw the commercial on tv as well. do I think they are trying to influence future use of their products and are they getting the "hook-up" with the shipment of their products?? YES. BUT, they still have the interest of these women in mind PLUS they have considered sanitation and cultural aspects into their project. they did start from the beginning - in which they are building restrooms first, and they are tyring to come up with a way to dispose of the napkins (supposedly by burning them for cultural reasons? hmm.) im not saying that they don't have marketing in mind, but they are trying to help these young ladies out. so, we'll see what happens.
Posted by Shea P.
January 2, 2008, 10:04 PM
Hey! The boys get laptop computers from the AD campaign that asks you to buy one for you, and pay for one for some foreign kid. The least you can do is give the gals some clean sanitary napkins.
Posted by Coonie
January 5, 2008, 8:27 PM
Um, I don't think the laptops in the Give 1 Get 1 laptop campaign are just for boys.
Posted by SAYZ
January 5, 2008, 11:26 PM
Do you seriously think women and girls in Africa don't have any way of dealing with their period already? Or that these products don't exisit in the entire continent?
I found while the premise may have been good (clean water is always needed), the commercials are outright insulting.
Posted by Andrea
January 11, 2008, 1:32 PM
Why are these girls missing school? Is this just an excuse to suggest that women are too delicate to handle this normal function of life?
Why don't they do what my Mom did? Use old rags and wash them out. It worked for centuries before sanitary supplies came into existence.
Posted by Vicki
January 16, 2008, 3:48 PM
As an African Woman, I am totally insulted by this commercial and campaign. This is a perfect example of multinational corporations exploiting Africans for their own financial benefit and the Media perpetuating the sterrotypical image of all of Africa and Africans being poor, unable to help themselves. In this case, now African woman can't even deal with their menstral cycles so they are so hopeless they can't even go to school, so the "West" must "save" these "poor African girls". Give me a break. Their add completely gives the wrong image of Africa,even look in the commercial, the girl and woman are in Hut - negative sterotype!
This is not to say that some africans do not live in these forms of housing, some do, however, They make it seem like this is all of Africa and you never see the other side or anything positive in the media such as African is urbanized African areas, extravagant african houses, and African economic successes. The fact that this is a well known product/company and is seen my millions of people is very dangerous, especially when many are already ignorant to the realities of Africa, this will add to their already present negative steretypes. One of you made a good point on the minor implications of the 1/10 figure and the idea that this is a way for them to push their product the other girls who already have their method of dealing with their menstrual cycle. Essentially the message their adds present is "if these girls don't get pads, they can't go to school, they dorp out and fall deeper into poverty so we need to help them" which is ridiculous. Although this may be a problems, there are other means to deal with it, not through a capitalist corporation who overexaggerates the issue for their own benefit. This is all for profit, disgustingly prying on the people to think they are helping. I use always, but after this, I don't think I'll spend even on cent on their product ever again to support this blatant exploitations of my fellow African sisters. I would encourage everyone else to think twice and do their research on this issue before you believe or buy into this marketing ploy.
Posted by Akosua Serwah
January 16, 2008, 8:03 PM
In addressing some above comments, the reasons why some girls miss school are not necessarily because they have no way to clean themselves or because of their embarrassment. In many cultures around the world menstruation is seen as dirty and in some places girls and women are shunned and secluded outside of their society whilst they have their period, and they're not allowed to participate in day to day activities.
This ad campaign could really go further into introducing a health awareness campaign and even encouraging acceptance of menses as a natural process that doesn't have to be shunned. This, of course, would wreak havoc with some communities and traditions. But these are the girls of tomorrow.
Posted by KL
January 21, 2008, 11:26 PM
Last week I talked with a woman who works in the field with girls in Tanzania, and missing school because of menses is a stark reality for the vast majority of girls there. She's working with girls in secondary school. Compared to the developed world, there are few secondary schools in the country and in Africa in general. Very few girls have the chance go to what secondary schools there are. This aid worker I spoke with stressed that the girls cannot miss four days of school a month because they are using rags and staying at home, which is the norm for them. They are lucky to be in school at all, and they need all the time they can get in the classroom if they are going to be successful as adults. They may not be perfect, but at least P&G; is shining a light on this issue. I've not heard of any non-profit dedicated to creating a sustainable alternative to unsanitary materials or costly imports.
Posted by LG
January 22, 2008, 6:11 PM
I'm totally puzzled by this campaign. As mentioned several times above, women have been dealing with this for centuries before Always came along (and as pointed out, the Always solution of disposable, often asbesto-ed and bleached products isn't exactly a great one) - what did they do then?
It's a good idea to think about ways that living in poverty effect women differently than men, and question our responsibility in a 1st world that arguably benefits from 3rd world poverty. But with this particular campaign it really does seem as if Always is positioning women in Sub-Saharan Africa (and by extension women in general) as lacking the resourcefulness and creativity that has got us this far in the field of menstruation, way before P & G (and Tampax and Kotex and...) existed.
Posted by Thea
January 23, 2008, 10:20 AM
This commercial is getting on everyones nerves! Especially by insulting Africans. Thats not what Africa looks like! Thats just to make people believe they have nothing. They aren't that poor. "Thirteen year old girl can't go to school because she has her period!" Gosh, woman, give up a break. Everyone knows they dealed with it before by using leaves. Besides, in Africa they don't keep up with the technology. Why should we ive them ALWAYS pads? Every woman knows how to deal with their own menstruating vagina! :)
Posted by Lisa
January 23, 2008, 4:22 PM
That commercial can't get any stupider! I know girls get their period but i'm only 9. What a pad? ?????? I need to know because im going to get a girlfriend soon!!
Posted by Bobby
January 24, 2008, 6:02 PM
No one should be taken in by this commercial. No only is insulting to African women and all poor women (wht do they think African women have used all these years). It says nothing, only that it MAY cause her to lose school which MAY cause her to fall behind.
It says nothing about what they are doing, giving them away free, not likely, or maybe just until they get hooked on using them.
It is so misleading it should be pulled as propoganda.
Posted by Rita
January 31, 2008, 9:35 AM
This campaign reeks of imperialism. First of all, the equating of seclusion during menstruation with shunning is problematic. Practises such as seclusion, or a woman not preparing food while she's on her period can occur for many reasons, including menstruation being seen as a time for a woman to relax and be relieved of her everyday duties. I would argue that the notion of periods being "dirty" is in fact a western one. Just think about the terms used for menstrual products: protection, femninine hygine, sanitary napkins, etc. It's here that periods are not discussed and women are expected to continue with their business, "playing through the pain" of cramps and irritability.
In short, Always (P&G;) is trying to export "civilized" ideas about menstruation to Africa. Let's not forget that menstruation has occured (and gone untreated) for the entire history of human and animal existance. There is nothing wrong or dirty about bleeding into rags or cloth, which is probably what the other nine out of ten girls do. The last thing the world needs is the proliferation of unsustainable, bleached products that encourage women to think their natural cycles are dirty and disposable.
Posted by TK
February 1, 2008, 12:18 PM
See the following for a NY Times article from 2005 regarding this very subject:
www.nytimes.com/2005/12/23/internatio...
Posted by Haven
February 4, 2008, 1:52 AM
It's absurd to suggest (and expect consumers to believe!) that there is NO other method of managing menses in a sanitary fashion without always pads (something I've always found to be quite messy and unsanitary -- not to mention expensive and uncomfortable).
Instead of sending boxes of always over to one out of ten girls (apparently the only ones having trouble), can we improve facilities and make water clean and safe to use in communities where cleanliness is an issue for everyone, not just girls during that time of the month?
As long as there have been women, they have had periods. I know of no culture or woman who was crippled by not having Always feminine hygiene products in her home. I strongly suspect the 9/10 girls are using cotton, or other cloth, which is not only more comfortable than Always' maxi pads, but washable and reusable.
Posted by alex
February 4, 2008, 8:27 PM
This is the most atrocious solicitation for charity I've seen in my 64 years of life. To make an issue out of 1 in 10 African girls missing school due to menstrual periods is beyond ludicrous. This "Always" announcement is an insult to the American public but is definitely in keeping with the outrageous and dangerous liberal/left movement in this country.
Posted by Darrell R. Schreiber
February 12, 2008, 8:17 PM
I just want to add to the arguments against this campaign. Other than the financial and environmental arguments, there is also a health concern. Many of us don't know this, but pads are made of cellulose - a carcinogen! And they don't just contain cellulose - they are MADE OF cellulose! We don't know it for sure, but if so many women have female cancers (ovaries, uterus, breast, etc.), it may well be because of the products we use to deal with our menses. We, in the "civilized" world, are already putting our health on the line by using such products - do Africans, on top of the horrendous health issues they already have, need this now?
My mom used to use cotton balls when she was young, and she says she still wouldn't have a problem with those, even after having tried modern products. Her mom used cloths - come to think of it! They were made of cotton and they were reusable. Women have managed without pads and tampons for thousands of years! I will not switch to these methods because our "civilized" society does not accept it. But if it was OK, I would at least expect for a natural alternative to exist.
This all makes me think of a crusade, where the "civilized" people want to do the "primitive" people some good by "converting" them. Last time, it was a disaster...
Posted by Viktoria
February 12, 2008, 10:08 PM
I think the Always brand has reached its limit and there is no way to sell more of them - unless they start selling them on "unchartered" territory. This ad is a real goldmine: P&G; will make more money by getting an entire continent to buy their product (that's a LOT of sales), by encouraging us in the first world to switch to their brand because WOW, they are helping poor little African girls, so I'll stop the Kotex and switch to Always instead, and they probably get some nice tax deductions because they are involved in "charity" or something of the sort.
I would really like to know what exactly these people are doing in Africa. They don't even say how they contribute... disgusting!
Posted by Viktoria
February 12, 2008, 10:29 PM
Hey Viktoria - actually, you can switch to the methods your mother and grandmother used pretty easily, and "civilized society" probably won't even suspect a thing. I've been using washable cotton pads for years, as have plenty of ladies I know. It's more than OK. In fact, I always know I'm in a friendly house when I go into the bathroom and see pads drying on the towel rack.
Posted by Anna
February 13, 2008, 1:16 AM
Why don't you all read the article about this and maybe you'd stop this anti-business harangue. They are trying to correct a problem that is mostly due to Islam and its backwardness.
As Americans we have trouble conceptualizing not being able to go to school because of a physical natural bodily act. Now think as if you were a Moslem cleric who already doesn't like the idea of girls going to school. Any excuse is a good excuse.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban have burned schools with girls and women inside.
Wake up people. There are really bad humans out there.
The 1 in 10 number is for the entire continent of Africa. So in some parts, girls go to school without problems. But in some parts, they don't.
And all you with the sustainable caveat. I suggest you try wearing a rag and see how you like it when it leaks though your clothing and you leave a huge blood stain behind.
But then I guess you'd just go to your closet and take out more clothing.
Posted by Helene
February 13, 2008, 1:10 PM
Have tried a rag, do use a rag, clean it with cold water, let it dry, use it again. Ba-da-boom. I recognize it's not for everyone, but don't tell me it's because of "society" and its views about my body's functions. What goes on in my pants is my business, and I don't really give a hoo-ha if people think it's gross. One hundred thousand pads rotting in a landfill, THAT'S gross.
Posted by Anna
February 13, 2008, 1:38 PM
Glad you have running water in your bathroom. What about a village with no running water. How and where do you wash your unmentionables. In public?
What if you were taught to be ashamed of your period, of being female. Most females on this planet are mere chattle. And even if you think America is enlightened, look at how Hillary is being treated mainly because she is female. Barack is less exoerienced but he's the guy so...Who is raising such self- absorbed women who cannot think past their situation?
Posted by Helene
February 13, 2008, 3:32 PM
Fair enough, but where will all the disposable pads go? If a village has no running water, safe to say it probably doesn't have curbside garbage pickup either. Even if washing your undies in public is not the ideal option, neither is having soiled plastic around your house and village. And yeah, many women on the planet are "mere chattel", as you say - but I fail to see how bringing our North American model of disposable everything to Africa is going to change that.
Posted by Anna
February 13, 2008, 3:50 PM
Blaming Islam as the sole perpetrator of anti-woman discrimination is nonsensical. Misogyny, shame, and gender-based violence exist worldwide, even in the 'West' and even in North America. Beyond that, there are many religions beyond Islam in Africa. Personally, I see what Always is doing as eurocentric and demeaning: they are creating a problem, then solving it to critical acclaim. Somebody is profiting here, and I doubt it is young women in Africa.
Also, you mentioned Clinton, and though unrelated, I think it is very important to recognize (here, on a feminist blog) that being a feminist does not mean that you have to support a female presidential candidate. Equality means the best person for the job, not 'the woman' or 'the man' for the job. Just because I share an XX combination with Hilary Clinton, it does not mean that I share a political ideology.
Posted by Lex Gill
February 13, 2008, 6:34 PM
I think the fact that it is 1 in 10 girls who are missing school is an important one. I'm sure they're not stupider than their classmates, since they're at least trying to go to school. Perhaps it's because these young women have heavier flows than their peers that mere jumbled rags are insufficient to deal with. Or maybe they are more poor than their peers, and therefore don't have any extra clothing, or anything to hold the rags in place (like underwear).
As the mom of a girl with heavy periods, I don't think rags would cut it. Especially since she'd have to either wear an enormous wad of them or have to change them mid-day - it seems to me that would be messy, and with no water or privacy - ewww.
But the problem is NOT one of lack of materials for periods, though that's a component. I really think that the crux of the issue is lack of hygiene facilities. So kudos to P&G; for building latrines.
BUT it does also bother me that they're giving out the disposable pads. I really don't think that's appropriate for most situations. There may be areas where drought is common or the norm, where washing any soiled items would be a challenge, but surely we can find a better alternative than plastic and dioxin-laden stuff.
And Viktoria - I'm pretty sure it's not cellulose that is carcinogenic. Cellulose is a component of all plant cells. Yes, cotton too is made of cellulose. Perhaps you're thinking of dioxins - the byproducts of the bleaching process. They are definitely in disposable feminine hygiene products. They are also apparently in the steam that vents from your dishwasher if you have a chlorinated water supply.
Want to support a project with the same idea but without the disposable component?
http://www.goods4girls.org/
Posted by Lori
February 19, 2008, 2:21 AM
"They are trying to correct a problem that is mostly due to Islam and its backwardness," according to Helene. Whoa!! - according to the text on the homepage "There's no simple solution to the problems that girls in *Southern Africa* face."
The projects described in the site seem to suggest P&G; is focusing on South Africa/Namibia/Botswana, none of which is predominantly Islamic.
The site is carefully non-specific about where these 1/10 girls live, something I find troublesome. It is irresponsible and blatantly paternalistic to make blanket statements about 10% of the female population in an entire continent.
The problem facing many young women in Africa is not that they don't have access to western pads and tampons. As so many have posted above, there are many traditional sustainable methods of dealing with menses. Rather, the problems stem from the lack of toilets and clean water in schools and homes. Secondly, taboos surrounding menstruation undoubtedly affect women's mobility in many so-called backward areas of Africa. However, no amount of beautifully bleached pads is going to solve that problem.
The site suggests P&G; is supporting some worthwhile causes in Africa, and thankfully it's not only about pads. The problem, in my opinion, is not with the projects themselves, but the glib way the message is conveyed to Westerners who know nothing about Africa.
Posted by doubtful
February 25, 2008, 11:23 PM
k well bobby. . a pad uses the idea of a diaper. its smaller and it doesn't go around ur waist, only between your legs, it has a sticky side so it attachs to a girls underwear. basically it absorbs the blood exurted through mentration. and trust me if ur nine most girls ur age won't have this problem yet and if they do they won't want you to know and probably won't talk about it to you. girls are still very insecure about mentrating within the first couple of years.
hope I helped, good luck with the ladies
p.s. not a good idea to ask these questions on this board, more about the outrage caused by this commercial
Posted by bobbys hero
February 27, 2008, 12:09 AM
I saw the ad on tv and thought it was ridiculous. It implied that the girls could not go to school because they had their periods. So what did they do when they stayed home?
I am sixty years old in the United States and live in Connectiut. Up until I went to work and could buy my own sanitary napkins, I used rolled up cloth and a sanitary belt. I rewashed the cloths. I excpect they know how to do that. Stupid.
Posted by Marion Kozlowski
February 27, 2008, 11:37 PM
I think attempts to communicate, in whatever language we have available, are welcome on this blog! Generally I feel like we try to post things that don't attack others, but that encourage us to share our own politics, thoughts and emotions in a way that fosters debate, not division. So far this thread has really been doing that - let's not let it degenerate into a problem "with these kids" - some of us ARE or WERE those kids!
Nine year olds are welcome on our blog, of any gender.
Black kids are welcome on our blog, of any style of speaking.
Hold on to that for a minute: 9 year olds are reading the Shameless blog. Wow.
The last thing we want to do here is be the "proper" and "intelligent" language police. What I see as the rules of posting: post with respect and open heart.
And one last point: what we call "proper education" has often been a force that serves to marginalize and minimize the experiences, knowledge and contribution of people of colour from our common history.
Posted by piKe
February 28, 2008, 9:52 AM
Surely there is something to be said for all the schools, classrooms, latrines and water facilities that this program has helped to build?
$1.4 million has been donated!
P&G; works with international agencies - including the UN - who have a wealth of experience in helping save lives, improve education and make the extremely difficult living conditions a little easier for a great many people. Yes, of course we cannot all agree on the best ways to do this, and yes, of course P&G; is profiting through increased sales, but does this mean that the girls should just not receive any products or any help?
www.fairfabric.org/wordress
Posted by Tammy
March 1, 2008, 5:39 PM
Typo -
www.fairfabric.org/wordpress
Posted by Tammy
March 1, 2008, 7:17 PM
Lori, I have intense periods and belive me the reuseable cotton pads (The ones from moonwits are the ones I use) last all day and sometimes all night as well. I have never feared leaking through. In contrast, disposables contain chemical that actually make women bleed more. Healthy? I think not. When I heard that I made the switch. My mother was sceptical. She thought it was liberating for women to have to spend less time dealing with it and that my switch wouldn't last. It has and she told me suddenly one day how happy it makes her to go past the pad isle and not buy. Also, there's the reusable diva cup (which I haven't tried but everybody who tries it correctly love it!) and there's organic tampons and pads. Making the switch will make you all heathier. Forgive the sales pitch. It just makes so much sense to me.
Also, somewhat unrelated . . . This may sound absurd, but how come there's no way to harness and donate this blood that our bodies voluntarily give up anyway. I know. Strange idea. Maybe I've been staring at my uterus too long. Aw well - it's a good question, isn't it?
Posted by Myra
March 2, 2008, 9:13 AM
Well, in response to Myra's question, the blood you shed during your period isn't just blood - it's all full of tissue that lines your uterus in preparation for pregnancy and so on. So if by "donate" you mean, like, to a blood bank, by the time you filtered out all the other stuff you'd probably have a pretty paltry amount of usable blood.
BUT that said, the blood isn't totally useless - I know people who use the Keeper (same as the Diva cup, different brand name) who dilute their blood with water and feed it to their plants. Apparently it's full of all sorts of nutrients that plants love.
Posted by Anna
March 2, 2008, 11:26 AM
As a woman I feel compelled to assist these young girls to receive the Always pads they require,to stay in school & become the woman of their dreams. No one should feel ashamed for asking for HELP if it is truly needed in these rural countries. If it were me at the other end receiving these feminine supplies ,I would know some where out there ,some one cared about me enough ,to Help me get thru school,and make it in my lifeto become someone.
Posted by Susan
March 5, 2008, 3:29 PM
If you really want to help women/people in Africa, donate directly, time or money, to a cause. Always is praying on the fact that many tend to just want to feel good about themselves just by going about their own daily lives; no effort...be the change you wish to see in the world. There are other issues that are more important - FOR EXAMPLE, OVER 40% of THE WORLD'S COCOA...do you know where it comes from? The Ivory Coast in Africa where there are CHILD SLAVES who are stolen or sold or lured to do work, kept their by force, and suffer beatings continuously - this is literally modern day slavery, and it goes unchecked, AND EVERY TIME WE BUY CHOCOLATE, UNLESS IT IS CERTIFIED AS FAIR TRADE, WE ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THIS AND TELLING CHOCOLATE COMPANIES THAT IT IS OKAY. PLEASE go to www.slaverysucks.org to educate yourself, spread the word, and stop buying chocolate from major chocolate companies who have the power, but not the desire, to change this disgusting practice that we, by the power of our vote in purchases, contribute to. Please, take a second to discover what you never knew, and what you have the power to change.
Posted by Natasha
March 20, 2008, 9:41 PM
If you really want to help women/people in Africa, donate directly, time or money, to a cause. Always is praying on the fact that many tend to just want to feel good about themselves just by going about their own daily lives; no effort...be the change you wish to see in the world. There are other issues that are more important - FOR EXAMPLE, OVER 40% of THE WORLD'S COCOA...do you know where it comes from? The Ivory Coast in Africa where there are CHILD SLAVES who are stolen or sold or lured to do work, kept their by force, and suffer beatings continuously - this is literally modern day slavery, and it goes unchecked, AND EVERY TIME WE BUY CHOCOLATE, UNLESS IT IS CERTIFIED AS FAIR TRADE, WE ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THIS AND TELLING CHOCOLATE COMPANIES THAT IT IS OKAY. PLEASE go to www.slaverysucks.org to educate yourself, spread the word, and stop buying chocolate from major chocolate companies who have the power, but not the desire, to change this disgusting practice that we, by the power of our vote in purchases, contribute to. Please, take a second to discover what you never knew, and what you have the power to change.
Posted by Natasha
March 21, 2008, 7:38 AM
Hello all,
I am glad to see there is a lot of discussion going on about the Always campaign.
I came across this wonderful site which is trying to do something pro-active from the West here and enviro-friendly for any of you interested in helping out. http://www.goods4girls.org
I wonder, have any of you written a letter to the Always company outlining your concerns with their products being sent overseas to places like Africa? What was their response? I know I am going to write a letter myself.
I know change in Corporations can be slow, but for them to come up with this idea and follow through with it I have to commend them for that initiative.
I would perhaps write a letter to them commending them on a great idea but also addressing the very real concerns some of you have noted. Such as wastefulness of the product and the packaging. I would also add, that they are not bio-degradeable, and in warm countries (from my personal experience of living overseas) Always products tend to produce higher incidences of crotch rot, yeast infections and rashes down the legs, not to mention pimples and cycsts in the crotch area because of the rubbing of the product and the combination of the heat in those countries. So while trying to help these women, their product could actually be causing more problems and for some of these girls/women with their limited incomes and resources the women may not be able to get the help they need for infections etc.
With cloth pads women don't tend to have as many yeast infections and rashes etc. I do also agree maybe finding a local company in Africa who would be willing to make and distribute cloth pads to the women would be a better alternative.
I do think Always needs to hear the feedback from all of you women and they also need to hear viable suggestions on how to improve the campaign- They need to hear what is wrong with their campaign and they need to hear how to make it better i.e. perhaps they can team up with women who make cloth pads and distribute those instead.
I think venting here is great, but if it does not get back to the P&G; Always company, how then can they begin to make changes.
Keep up the good fight!
Cheers
Posted by Veronika
April 1, 2008, 3:40 AM
Hi Veronika -- I agree completely. And you can find a separate post advocating Goods4Girls here.
Posted by Catherine
April 1, 2008, 12:55 PM
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