Your Choices Effect Environment

Akriti Jamwal. Updated: 7/11/2017 3:15:19 PM We the Women

The environment today is a pressing global challenge faced by our world, and therefore it is essential to focus on advocacy towards understanding the linkages between gender, especially women and a variety of environmental/sustainable development topics that is the differential cause and effect of environmental degradation by women and importantly, the role of women as agents of change in regards to mitigation and adaptation to the changing environment. What that implies is, as much as women can be an instrument to reduce the pressure on environment, they can also contribute in the elevation of Environment crises. How? Let’s find out.

I am talking about amount of sanitary products being used and disposed every single day. And we are well aware how efficient we are in keeping our surroundings clean, whether it is the public or the departments concerned. We are still not at the level of disposing garbage with required efficiency and so, it all litters around, clogs the drain; we know it all. Here we need to pin the fact that we are still struggling with making sanitary products available to every woman in our nation, but think of a scenario when it is. Think about the amount of non-recyclable waste which will take hundreds of years to dispose getting accumulated every day, considering the population of our country and number of women here. But that should not be a reason that millions of women be deprived of Menstrual Hygiene. Should it? But the question that arises is what we can do in such a case. I am hoping you would find the answers by end of this write-up.

Not just for sake of environment, choosing an environmental friendly alternative can be healthier for women as well. Now, you must be wondering what these alternatives are and how are they safer than the conventional use-and-throw pads. Well these alternatives are menstrual cloth pads and menstrual cups. If you lost me here, just hold on. Before I would come to how they are safer, let’s enlighten ourselves by knowing what exactly they are.

Now, I assume that you must have assumed that using menstrual cloth pads sounds primitive. Doesn’t it? Thinking of it, you must have perceived by now that they are uncomfortable and probably feel wet. But it is not so, cloth pads are specially designed liners that according to most of its users, are way more comfortable than the usual pads. As far as wetness is concerned, they are manufactured in a way that they almost feel the same. Only thing that might bother you is the fact that they need to be cleaned after use and are comparatively expensive than the packed use-and-throw pads. Now, if you would calculate your spending on the packs you buy every month and compare it to shelf life these cloth pads would provide, you would find that they are far more economical than the use-and-throw pads. As far as cleaning is concerned, I guess a little sacrifice to save the environment is not something any compassionate woman would pass.

While, pads and tampons are loaded with chemicals, menstrual cloth pads and menstrual cup can save you from getting in contact of all those chemicals. Also, pads act like Petri-dish to bacteria, so if you are using use-and-throw pads, you will admit that you sometimes push it through the said limit of hours to use, whereas in case of cloth your chances to change it in optimum duration would be higher. And if you have any misconception that these on-the-go pads have any anti-bacterial feature, sorry to burst the bubble, they do not. Same is the case with tampons. If you are not aware of what they are, I do not blame you; they are not popular among Indian women because of the way it is to be used. Nevertheless last week we talked about the side-effects of using tampons; not only they can cause fatal TSS they may make you feel sore and dry, which does not seem so comfortable. Does it? Therefore, I suppose we are not missing on much. But if you are a tampon user, consider switching to a menstrual cup as it collects your flow rather than absorbing it and so doesn’t cause dryness or irritation. Many women find menstrual cups comfier than tampons; but it need practice to use it and that, I suppose, applies to any other alternative. Since the cups are supposed to collect the blood flow instead of soaking it, that means they leak less and you don’t have to run to the washroom every thirty minutes to change it. Made from medical grade silicone, menstrual cups are safe for your body and last for up to 5-10 years so are way better for your pocket and the environment.

Now, coming on to the question of making sanitary products available to every woman in our nation, what do you think, would be more convenient to provide such products every month or just make a little more investment and not only save all the investment getting dumped by use-and-throw products but the environment as well.

So, now you know how your choices can affect the environment as well as your health. I am not aiming to make you believe me; but to encourage you to research on the subject. After all, We, the women, needs to be aware of what we are causing and what we can do. Also, that would help to become aware of what you are getting into.


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