Blood, Sweat & Tears
WOMEN Inc. wants to break the menstrual taboo with “Blood, Sweat and Tears”
Although half of the population menstruates, it is still a taboo. To break this taboo, WOMEN Inc. is giving the classic “Blood, Sweat and Tears” a new twist.
For many, the taboo on menstruation may seem like a thing of the past. However, the figures show that it is still very much alive, both among young people and older people. 49% of people find it uncomfortable to visibly walk to the toilet with a menstrual product. The fact that the taboo does not seem to be diminishing among young people is evident from the fact that the percentage of people who feel ashamed when buying menstrual products is higher among young people.
To draw attention to this, Sophie Straat has re-recorded the song “Blood, Sweat and Tears”. The accompanying video addresses various aspects of the taboo.
The video is part of the “Gewoongesteld” campaign that The Family developed for WOMEN Inc.
Because we talk little about menstruation, many people have no idea what is ‘normal’ and what complaints you can go to the doctor with. As long as we do not make conversations about menstruation, for example at work and at school, normal and stereotype-free, menstruation will remain a taboo in our society.
Period poverty
In the Netherlands, 1 in 8 people are confronted with menstrual poverty every month. That is why WOMEN Inc. is starting a donation campaign to combat menstrual poverty. People who cannot afford menstrual products often have to use toilet paper. That is why the campaign has been set up in collaboration with The Good Roll. Through the wrappers of their toilet rolls, attention is drawn to menstrual poverty and a call to donate. Part of the campaign are toilet rolls in the form of sanitary towels, which are hung in various public toilet areas.
