The 28th Foreign Correspondent Report

Safe Sanitary Napkins for Everyone
Ms. Jeong HYOMIN (Korea)
Last year was a very important year for Korea in terms of both women's healthmovement and environmental health movement. For the first time in more than 50 years
since the production of disposable sanitary napkins began in Korea, safety issues havebeen publicized, and the side effects and suffering caused by using napkins have beenvoiced by 3,009 people. These health hazards experienced by the women during theirmenstrual periods have questioned the universality of mainstream napkins and strongly
urged the integration of the women's experiences into scientific knowledge.
As a result, we made a survey on all 666 kinds of sanitary napkins produced anddistributed domestically. We are also in the process of introducing the labeling of allcomponents of sanitary napkins at the end of October this year. Health effects ofdisposable sanitary napkins are also being investigated by relevant authorities centeringon the Ministry of Environment. Although not enough, this is an unprecedented
institutional achievement in the world. First of all, I would like to celebrate with all of thewomen who supported the efforts and gained strength.

Demanding a regulation on the use of noxious
chemicals in sanitary napkins

Until now, however, neither the issue of identifying hazardous properties of sanitarynapkins nor the issue of preparing safety measures has been practically solved. In thepast year, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has consistently been slow in
responding to the incidents and keen on reducing the impacts. Consolidating the press
reports circulated some time ago, a question arises over the credibility of the results ofthe first and second experiments. The system of labeling all ingredients of sanitarynapkins, which is expected to be implemented in October this year, does not oblige
manufacturers to disclose the properties of ingredients including carcinogenicity,
reproductive toxicity, and allergen-inducing substances such as polymer absorbers andfragrances, citing technical difficulties and trade secrets as excuses. Even if the system isimplemented in this way, it will be difficult to know the ingredients completely.
Companies are also adopting 'ecological', 'organic', 'safe' and other advertising phrases

The 28th Foreign Correspondent Reportrather than actual changes and improvements in their products against the backdrop of
the debate over women’s health and safety. They are using the controversy about women's
anxiety and safety only as a way to raise prices. Organic sanitary napkins released atpremium prices have not been proven to be really safe.
On the other hand, certain companies have even filed lawsuits claiming large sums ofmoney against civic groups and researchers who have raised the issue to bring justice tothe women's voices. Beyond individual groups and researchers, it is the act of threatening
the voluntary voices and legitimate demands of women and citizens with the logic ofcapital and unjust lawsuits.
After the controversy on the story of ‘insole sanitary napkins’ (It was found that many
low-income girls cannot afford actual napkins and use shoe insoles as cheap alternatives.),the issue of the sanitary napkins for the homeless women has recently come under thespotlight, revealing that the trend of high prices of sanitary napkins is still underway.
Some municipalities and political parties have promised the provision of free sanitarynapkins in advance of the June 13 local elections, but most of the beneficiaries are limited
to female youths and their pledges are also being attacked as mere populism.
Menstruation is a fundamental right and a right to life that must be respected regardlessof income and age. The central government must allocate and guarantee funds for thepublic hygiene issue.
May 28 is World Menstrual Hygiene Day. It symbolizes that women have menstrual
cycles every 28 days for an average of 5 days. In the Korean society where prejudice andabhorrence of women and menstruation are prevalent, the dignified and naturalmenstruation is an issue of women's human rights, and ensuring easy access to safe
sanitary napkins is the departure point. As menstruation continues, our anxiety about
sanitary napkins continues.
Even though disposable sanitary napkins are still filled with hazardous chemicals that
harm women's health, governments and businesses neither investigate their health risks
properly nor provide safety measures. We demand that governments and businesses bemore responsible and quick to secure sanitary napkins. Also we protest against this unjust
reality, and want to express our sense of urgency about making safe sanitary napkins
more accessible for everyone.

Workshop to create alternative sanitarynapkins

Making cotton napkins