Instead of using the opportunity of having a female presidential candidate to shine light on certain women’s issues that are rarely discussed, like the movement to end the ‘Tampon Tax,’ or to make glyphosate a well-recognized carcinogen, it seems like we’re spending a lot of time listening to old men bicker. We, the American people, and the citizens of the world, are giving precedence to the voices of a few men over the words of millions of women.
Given the current political climate, I was reminded of the #fiercewoman that inspired our 2016 “Exercising your feminine voice” mantra and so I asked myself, ‘What would Malala Yousafzai do? Would she let the overwhelming majority of male politicians and representatives get in her way? Would she let any man’s words mean any more than her own? Would she let any man, any taboo, or any challenge stop her?” And the answer was no. Malala chose to make her words heard; it was her courageous decision to write about the Taliban attacks on her school for a BBC blog at the age of eleven that was a precursor for her prominence. She chose to write the truth, in the language she knew, for whatever platform she was given, and instead of worrying about key words and audience, she chose to focus on the key points of her message and repeat herself till she couldn’t be ignored.
So what are the different ways Malala has gotten her message across? Dozens of interviews, articles, one book, and one NGO that funds education for young girls. The Malala Fund is working to provide a full 12 years of education for every girl. Partnering with local organizations focused on improving girls’ access to safe, quality, and relevant education, they are attempting to help their portion of the 60 million girls who miss out on education because they have to work, are married early, lack access to school facilities, or have to care for younger siblings, ultimately being denied their fundamental right to an education.
We at Maxim Hygiene Products want to take inspiration from Malala – our campaign for #healthymenstruation has always included blogging and raising awareness about feminine health issues, so now we’re thinking outside of the box. #WhatwouldMalalado?
That’s the question and here’s our wishlist of five, fiercer than fierce, Malalan acts of passion that could spread our vision for female hygiene, and make this world free of toxins.
1. Rally support around encouraging the FDA to require all menstrual care product manufacturers to print a warning on the outside of their packaging, alerting consumers to the inclusion of any possible harmful materials and carcinogens.
2. Work with Congress to pass a law that makes sure all menstrual care products are made with at least 75% recycled or sustainable materials.
3. Integrate the funding of feminine hygiene products into aid for reproductive health programs, both in the United States and abroad.
4. Team up with schools across the country to revamp the curriculum for teaching young girls about their period.
5. Create a dispensing machine full of condoms, menstrual cups, organic tampons, natural sanitary pads, 100% cotton panty liners, soap and tissues to be installed at various locations to make sure women are never without the resources to take care of their hygiene.
And now, we ask you. What do you think Malala would do? Or better yet, what can you do to make the world the one you want to live in? Send us your ideas, tell us what you do, and if you know a Fierce woman like Malala, changing the world, nominate her for our Fierce Woman of the Year!