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This Is What The World Would Look Like If Men Got Periods
The world would be a lot different if dudes had menstrual cycles.
In honor of Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, WaterAid, a British organization that brings clean water, sanitation and hygiene to impoverished parts of the world, launched a new campaign called “If Men Had Periods.” As part of the campaign, they created two parodies reimagining the typical tampon commercials if dudes got their periods.
While the parodies have a lighter tone, the campaign hopes to highlight the 1.25 billion women who don’t have access to a toilet during their periods and the stigma women experience during their menstrual cycles.
“Men would brag about them on Facebook, #imonmyperiod would probably trend regularly on Twitter, and tampon adverts would be fronted by celebrities.”
“Every day 800 million women have their period, and yet most of us consider it an embarrassing and taboo subject,” WaterAid’s Chief Executive Officer Barbara Frost said in a press release. “There are even elaborate euphemisms to avoid saying the word ‘period.’ So we have had a bit of fun trying to imagine whether attitudes would be different if men had periods.”
WaterAid believes the universe would be a lot different if men had to experience a monthly period. “If men had periods it would be considered a sign of virility,” a WaterAid press release reads. “Men would brag about them on Facebook, #imonmyperiod would probably trend regularly on Twitter, and tampon adverts would be fronted by celebrities.”
WaterAid surveyed 2,000 people to find out what they thought the world would look like if men had their periods. Almost 80 percent of respondents thought the sports world would change if men had their periodS. Nearly 30 percent of people believed sports commentators would openly discuss how player’s menstrual cycles would affect performance.
Basically, if men had periods there would be nothing shameful about menstrual cycles.
“Menstruation is an important women’s issue. One in three women around the world do not have access to a toilet during their periods and having to find a safe place after dark is both undignified and risky,” Frost said. “Millions more suffer discrimination because of beliefs that they are ‘contaminated’ or ‘impure.’ Stigma about menstruation means women do not seek the help and information they need, while the lack of hygiene facilities in schools is a major reason for young girls dropping out of education when they reach puberty.”
In order to stop this stigma, WaterAid is encouraging people to sign their “Make It Happen” petition to help get everyone access to clean water and toilets around the world.
“Female representation in politics in many parts of the world is still low, so perhaps if men had periods this issue would get the attention that it deserves,” Frost said. “More needs to be done to ‘make it happen’ so that every women and girl has access to water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030.”
H/T Dangerous Minds
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