Campaigns for lady-pains, voting, and the empowerment of menstruation.

(Disclaimer: non music post)

“Let’s talk about menses.” *gasp* “Did you just say the M word?!” Yes, yes I did. Menstruation. Despite the fact that we are now fully immersed into 2015, arguably the most diverse and liberal year since the years began, there is still taboo about the blood that women naturally produce. Many find the idea of periods “disgusting” or “dirty” and, trust me, for most girls this is exactly how they feel about it too (in other words we don’t need a lecture on how you find our bodily functions gross because we know). However, despite the fact that what’s going down in your knickers is similar to the blood bath between the Crazy 88 and Uma Thurman in ‘Kill Bill vol.1’, it’s not something to be ashamed of. In fact it’s one of the most empowering function a woman has- the power to create another life. Yet as discussed this isn’t how many individuals see it and this is epitomised in the society that we live in.

It has become clear that what happens to women on a monthly schedule and the products that women require at this time are not classed as ‘essential goods’, and recent campaigns show that for women in the UK this is not good enough and nor should it be. The most recent campaign ‘Stop taxing periods. Period.’ is the inevitable cry out of women who are being taxed for blood which they didn’t ask to spill in the first place. This petition highlights that sanitary products are non-essential due to their “luxury” good status, but whether one would call a nappy-like strip taped to a pair of knickers, or cotton wool rolled up inside a lady, luxury is dateable. Unbelievably products such as “helicopters”, “alcoholic jellies” and “exotic meats including crocodile and kangaroo” are classed as “essential” and non-taxable. Having existed now for 18 years I can safely say I survived without a ride in a helicopter or eaten crocodile and kangaroo stew, but I could have not lived five of those years without the “luxury” of sanitary products. Seemingly the government has combined two conflicting sides: an unstoppable natural function and the economically profitable.

In 2001 after campaigns arose the VAT on lady-time products was reduced to 5%, but it still seems baffling that even remains. It’s not as if such products exclusively benefit menstruating females, in fact it benefits society as a whole; not only do they ensure that a woman’s health and private life isn’t jeopardised it also means there isn’t a need for someone to clean blood-soaked rags or where a woman on her lady-time has sat on the bus. To justify such a tax on products which are undeniably essential, despite not considered as such in technical terms in the UK, and ultimately limiting their accessibility seems absolutely effing barmy if you ask me.

  

Arguably, for a woman in the UK the idea that life dependent items are classed as “luxury” makes trusting the current government a hard thing to do (similar to David Cameron finding the abolition of said tax "hard to do"). Speaking of which lets look at some stats from the UK taken in 2010 on the gender difference in Parliament: 78% of political parties were made up of men (Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem) whilst only 22% were women. Although there was an increase in female politicians, to 41% and not forgetting the three female politicians in up coming elections, women remain the minority in the government both in the UK as well as internationally. Although having said that in recent developments, in the UK, labour party deputy leader Harriet Harman is leading the "woman-to-woman" initiative in order to encourage women to vote and abolish the label that voting is a “men only” activity. Yet Harman’s “magenta” mini bus has not gone unscathed from critics: some have labelled the attempt as a ‘gimmick’ and ridiculed for being “patriarchally patronising”. As far as I can agree that their ideal to discuss politics with women around a “kitchen table” is patronising, it’s the determination to encourage women to vote which I can strongly agree with. Furthermore, scrutiny of the colour “magenta” arguably is society’s way of overlooking what’s really important in this campaign: the female vote. Why only last year was the same shade of pink used behind Ed Milliband’s head during a campaign and no one said a dicky bird, on top of that people are quick to accuse the party of sexism but neglect the issue of finding a colour which doesn’t already represent a party or that carries an association elsewhere. Why shouldn’t a party catch the attention of women to vote, it’s undeniably necessary in this particular subject matter and it’s also a waste of our female ancestor’s efforts to gain us women the vote, let’s not abuse it.

But it’s not only the physical health that is increasingly worrying in regards to the subject, it’s the effect that the taxation on sanitary goods and the pessimistic view which surrounds a woman’s monthly schedule has on the psychology of our society that’s distressing. Let’s get real here, it is unfortunately an unpleasant experience for any woman be it the pain it causes to the fatigue it can bring, everyone is different and suffer from different symptoms, or, lucky for some, not at all. But that shouldn’t mean we don’t embrace the process, whether you are a participant or non-participant. It’s difficult to track exactly when the negativity surrounding menses truly began, but it clear that it has existed and reproduced itself for generation after generation. Why only a few years ago did I hear a boy younger than me describe a room of predominantly girls as “smelling of period.” But if we don’t act to eliminate these views, that periods are “catastrophic”, mostly, of those who aren’t even involved in the process then those who do have to endure it will start to believe it too.

Menstruation is an essential part of our society- always has been and undoubtedly always will be- a possible first step in embracing this as fact is by removing the constraints to consume a vital range of products that have been ongoing for decades. Let’s also take steps in acknowledging our suffragette ancestors and ensure that women are having a say in politics, don’t let your vote go to waste, if you haven’t done so already. Whether you menstruate or you don’t, we should agree that it is vital to plug up the taxation of sanitary goods, let the female votes flow and let’s put a bloody stop to negative views surrounding menses. Period.