An Alternative to the Tampax Plan

Remember a few months ago when this Tampax ad and plea for us to “use our periods for good” had me kind of nutty? Well, if you are really concerned about young African women having the implements they need to attend school and other aspects of life,

consider this alternative: www.goods4girls.org.

I found out about Goods4Girls via Fake Plastic Fish, another fabulous site that I highly recommend.

Goods 4 Girls was started to seek out donors to sew or purchase new, reusable menstrual pads for donations to areas of Africa where these products are needed most. Providing reusable supplies not only provides a more environmentally friendly alternative for these young women (in areas of adequate water supply for washing), it reduces their dependence on outside aid organizations to continue providing for their monthly needs.

Now that makes a lot of sense to me. No need to disparage your own menstrual flow. No point in spreading even more plastic and waste products into areas that cannot dispose of them. This approach is sustainable, responsible, and female-friendly.

Kudos to you, ladies!