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But, Menstrual Pads Are For Women! …Aren’t They? (Part 1 — the War of the Sexes, circa 2020)
The completely unnecessary brouhaha over Always menstrual pads
This is a three-part article.
[Part 2: Moving Away From Gender Stereotypes]
[Read Part 3: Real Feminism, Real Solutions]
Recently the brand Always announced it would drop the tiny female symbol in the wrapped design of its menstrual pads. Some called it a sensitive move, a good step forward in inclusion. Others have called it erasure of women, erasure of biology. Let’s see what the noise is all about, shall we?
Gary & Stephanie — A Short Parable
Imagine you have have a class full of children. In this class, you have one kid who’s been monopolizing all the attention forever — speaks loudest and longest, interrupts others, makes fun of other kids when they speak. Let’s call this kid Gary. In this group you also have another kid, who has felt for the longest time that her voice is not being heard. She’s tired of being bossed around by Gary, and she believes her ideas are just as valid as Gary’s and should be heard. Let’s call her Stephanie.