Sisalagave, or just sisal, is a plant with strong fibers and has therefore been used for, among other things, rope. It can also withstand severe drought, which is a plus researcher at Stanford University when they were looking for a new material that can be produced in particularly dry areas with scarce financial resources.
Menstrual poverty a big problem
Almost half a billion women are estimated to lack access to everything they need to manage their periods in a good way, especially in poorer countries with a dry climate, the researchers write in the study.
– Access means not only that these products are available on the market, but also that those who menstruate can afford to buy them and that they do not experience danger or shame in connection with purchases, says Dr. Louise Klintner, expert in menstrual health.
This can lead to health problems, but in the long run also to a decrease in the participation of women and menstruating women in various activities and an unequal distribution of money when they cannot work – something that is usually referred to as period poverty, or menstrual poverty.
– They may also be forced to stay home from school to avoid bleeding through their clothes, which not only gives rise to feelings of guilt and shame but also leads to interrupted schooling, says Louise Klintner.
Fluffy materials are not the only solution
One way to reduce menstrual poverty is to be able to produce menstrual protection locally on a smaller scale, say the researchers who produced the new material. But it still does not exist as a finished product and it is not only economics and environmental friendliness that determine whether the pads will be used, says Louise Klintner.
– There is no universal solution for menstruation. The example of the menstrual cup illustrates this – it is environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run, but that does not mean that everyone will prefer it. The variety of options is crucial, she says.