In Pakistan, life changes after women experience a natural change in their bodies. Menstruation, which a girl gets at the cusp of adolescence, often means more than just a biological change signifying puberty for girls in Pakistan. It is a topic often met with hushes and disgusting stares and it is laden with shame in a plethora of ways. Yet, we keep overlooking the fact that it is entirely natural and beyond women’s control.
Though our society is empowering its women and becoming progressive slowly but surely, we have a long way to go in normalizing periods for women. However, with the introduction of Molped Sanitary napkins, it appears a leap is being taken into that direction. Menstruation should be easy, comfortable and non-limiting for women and Molped not only understands that but serves to provide that.
Periods: How Much Is A Myth?
In Pakistan, because the topic is a taboo, there are many myths surrounding it. Women are never allowed to openly and confidently speak about it. This also in turn hampers their ability to learn factual information about it. As a result, myths reign left, right and centre. For instance, there are many dietary restrictions that mothers start imposing on their daughters when they become an adolescent. Eggs are believed to speed-up the process and their in-take is limited! A 14-year-old girl revealed in an interview with Molped that she “ate meat during this period and the bleeding stopped completely”. Another 17-year-old girl revealed that a woman died in her village because “she washed clothes during the first three days of menstruation”. Such myths only make menstruation a limiting factor in women’s lives.
Shame All Around, But For What?
Additionally, women are also made to feel a lot of shame for what they experience. During periods, due to the physical changes in process inside a woman’s body, she is prone to cramps, nausea, headaches/light headed-ness and a host of other symptoms. Most women are perceived to be inferior or weaker if they showcase these symptoms. Did you know, less than 1/5th of women in Pakistan use sanitary napkins.
Moreover, the brown bag packing during the purchase of sanitary napkins is problematic. It has been ingrained in women’s minds that buying sanitary napkins openly is disrespectful. “There are certain boundaries that we should not cross I think purchasing sanitary pad without a brown paper is an act of shame,” said a woman when asked about this matter.
The myths surrounding this the menstruation period and the shame associated with it makes women’s lives difficult. It also renders them incapable to look for solutions that could make their life uninterrupted. Here’s how Molped is changing that.
Changing The Landscape with Molped
Molped has been introduced in Pakistan by Hayat Kimya and what it brings to the table is revolutionary. Hayat Kimya is a leading Turkish FMCG and Market Leader of Panty Liners Category in Turkey since 1999. Their feminine care segment has a sanitary napkin brand, Molped, which is a woman’s best friend during menstruation in simple terms.
Guest Contributor: Nazia Ikram
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