If today we understand menstruation as a whole and framed in the naturalness of being a woman, much is due to the fight for women's freedoms and revolutions over time.
In Portugal, the big turnaround occurred with April 25, 1974. Until then, women were seen only as a shadow of men, who indeed held all the powers: “In the family, the head is the father; at school, the boss is the master; in the church, the head is the priest; in the Nation, the boss is the government''. In terms of sexual and reproductive health, a woman did not have the right to take contraceptives against her husband's will, as he could invoke the fact to substantiate the request for divorce or legal separation, abortion was punishable under any circumstances, with a penalty of imprisonment from 2 to 8 years (among many other conditions and impediments).
Prior to April 25, 1967, the Association for Family Planning (APF) was born, fundamental for the conditions and health of reproductive life, through the creation of health services and affirmation of the right to information and education in these matters. This association was founded by couples, doctors, opponents of the regime and progressive Catholics. However, the existing political context strongly limited the public activity of the APF and reactions to its activity by the political regime were inevitable.
In 1968, the Democratic Women's Movement was founded, which brings together women who fight for peace, freedom, bread and, above all, the dignity of women.
But it was with the Carnation Revolution that all these movements and associations came to stay and it was when the way was opened for the beginning of a humanized and integrative vision of women in society and in the family.
So much to thank those who fought to conquer what we live today!
Sex Education and the collective awareness of the role of women and their feminine conditions, with regard to the menstrual cycle, began at this time to cease to be so shameful and to condition them in social life. Little by little, more understanding, greater respect, more awareness of the importance of women in all their roles, of the complexity of everything that has been and how much to transform.
If we travel back in time, in addition to the shame that was hidden behind the doors, under lock and key, the menstruating woman has gone through various methods of menstrual collection over time. Around the time of April 25, 1974, the industry began to invest in the idea that disposable products represented freedom for contemporary women. This is understandable to a certain extent, given that the previous method exposed shame: cotton towels were used as external pads and the women washed them in secret and left them to dry discreetly in the sun; anyone who saw it knew that in that house the woman was menstruating, sometimes it was a relief because
would be a sign that she was not pregnant. Everything was embarrassing. Disposable products brought great relief to our ancient women.
From evolution to massive pollution it was an instant and today, what once represented a relief, weighs in conscience for what disposables do to the world.
We currently have so many alternative solutions that it becomes much easier to opt for reusable and sustainable menstrual collection products.
April 25 always!
Yesterday, today and in the future, if we assume that freedom is only consistent with responsibility!
You are free to choose, of course! But don't forget to reflect that we women are
responsible for all waste of disposable menstrual collection products.
It was with this in mind that Flow was born, in this new era that allows us to have more
awareness and more attitude towards sustainable alternative change.
Check out the reusable and sustainable menstrual collection products here:
https://ohyourflow.com
And get to know this brand, super responsible and very connected to female freedom!
Flow is a brand of intimate hygiene products, an educational brand and we want to help transform the way we operate in the world!
Are you coming with us?
MargaridaL.
Sources:
http://www.apf.pt/quem-somos/historia
https://www.pcp.pt/actpol/temas/25abril/30anos/dossier-abril-mulher.htm
https://www.mdm.org.pt/revolucao-de-abril/
https://www.ffms.pt/pt-pt/atualmentes/mulheres-uma-revolucao-dentro-de-casa-um-artigo-da-jornalista-ana-cristina-pereira
