Out For Blood: A plea for period particulars.

The monthly reign of terror that we don’t talk about.

Charlotte Shum | November 3rd, 2023

A photograph of boxes of unmarked feminine hygiene products in the third-floor secondary female bathroom.

(Image Source: Charlotte Shum)

An odd feeling in her stomach. A sense of ickiness down below. She suspects, but can’t confirm, rushing off to the bathroom instead. She sees blood stains—it's here, it's happening, cursing herself for not bringing pads. A moment of silence and quick thinking later, as if nothing ever happened, she walks back out with a fistful of toilet paper between her legs, while boys in the other toilet block stroll in and out without a single worry in their heads.

Since the dawn of time, women have been treated less than men. Male chauvinism is embedded in the foundation of our society. From religious texts to simple artworks, men are shown as superior, and women subordinate. Even the Bible (1 Cor. 11:9) conveys this message clearly, “For indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.”

It is in this that the gap between the two groups widens. A certain someone centre stage on the pages of history books, and another mentioned negligently as a footnote, their troubles are forgotten and belittled by history.

Periods are one such ‘trouble’ that is demonised, stigmatised and considered taboo by society. Rather than being thought of as a natural bodily function, it is a sign of impurity and the inferiority of women. When a person is menstruating, their negative actions and emotions are dismissed as ‘that time of the month’ by others—the time when they are ‘emotional and irrational’ when they do not need to be taken seriously. These mood sensitivities do affect some, however, that is no reason to reduce women to just their uterus.

This lack of support causes young girls to feel as if menstruation is meant to be hidden and ignored, perpetuating a cycle of shame and secrecy that benefits absolutely no one. The stigmatisation an epidemic spread all across the world—from the West to the East—and Renaissance College is just another one of its victims.

Renaissance College prides itself on its progressive, innovative approach to learning. The community commits to “[building] a culture that promotes peace and democracy” and “[educate] students and staff on the importance and impact of positive diversity, equity and inclusion policies, [and] practices and behaviours”. Although these words may be commendable, actions—or the lack thereof—speak louder than words.

Out of approximately seventy surveyed students, half were aware there were feminine hygiene products provided in the campus female bathrooms. Of the thirty-five, only two found out from staff and teachers, with zero from announcements and posts. The majority even stated they learned of their availability through word of mouth or sheer curiosity when messing around in the bathroom—“I just saw some girl taking them out of that box on the wall”, an anonymous student states.

Providing these products is a step in the right direction. However, the lack of awareness and communication from the school indicates something went wrong down the line. Healthcare assistant of the school nursing team Gina Caunceran states she “hadn’t heard of anything from the school” beyond the Student Council’s requests for hygiene products. She notes of a one-time lesson on sex education and menstruation for Year 6 students, but “never heard of” talks or information provided beyond that.

It is not enough that Renaissance College has pads in unlabelled boxes on the walls of the female bathrooms. As a community, staff and teachers should actively promote—normalise—discussions about menstruation and puberty and sexual health to break this blinding stigma.

The purpose of a school is to educate and empower students. But by conforming to society’s conventions, Renaissance is harming not only female students but students of all genders and sexes—failing to set a positive, holistic example, as a school should.

The students of Renaissance College deserve better. That girl creeping out of the bathroom with her underwear wrapped in toilet paper should be walking out using her choice of hygiene product, taken from a clear, labelled box in the bathroom. She should be comfortable, not ashamed or embarrassed in any way.

This should be RCHK’s reality. This should be the world’s reality. No matter where you go, no matter who you are around, menstruation should be just another normal part of the conversation to be treated with respect and understanding.

Yet that girl still sits uncomfortably in class, silently resigned. A part of her hoping for a fairer future where her experience, and those of all students, will be validated and supported. A future where RCHK leads by empowering female students and breaking down the stigmas of society.

Context: Not many people are aware of the feminine hygiene products provided by the school, so I sought out to understand why, while putting an entertaining twist to my work.