A ‘bloody’ performance against the high price of sanitary pads(Hankyoreh)

Female activists strike out at notion that menstruation is something they must hide or be ashamed of

On July 3, sanitary pads smeared with paint the color of blood paint were put up on the street near the tourist district of Insadong in Seoul, alongside banners with slogans such as, “Sanitary pads are a necessity for half the population, so the government ought to institute price controls,” said one. “If pregnancy and childbirth are commendable, why should menstruation be a shameful deed that has to be concealed?” said another.Next to the sanitary pads were receipts that showed sanitary pads had been purchased for 12,600 won (US$10.96) and 9,900 won (US$8.61).Women who are opposed to the price of sanitary pads increasing on the grounds that they are an essential item for women organized a demonstration on Sunday that employed the techniques of performance art.

A chart put up on the street near the tourist district of Insadong in Seoul listing the per unit prices of sanitary pads in various countries, July 3. South Korea is at the top, with a per unit per of 331 won (28 cents), higher than Japan and the US (both 181 won), Canada (202 won) and Denmark (156 won). (by Kim Seong-gwang, staff photographer)

The performance on Sunday was put on by a group of women who responded to a suggestion made by one social media user who posted the hashtag “let’s hang up sanitary pads.”“Between 2010 and 2015, consumer prices have gone up by 9.81%, but the price of sanitary pads has increased by 24.59%,” said the person who came up with the idea of the performance. This person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, pointed out that South Korean sanitary pads cost between 50% and 100% more than their equivalents in countries like Japan, France and Denmark.“During the same period, the price of pulp, the main ingredient of sanitary pads, has fallen by 29.6%, and the price of felt has fallen by 7.6%. Companies shouldn’t be charging unfair prices because of menstruation, which women didn’t choose and can’t avoid,” this person said.The reason that the group chose the somewhat provocative idea of putting sanitary pads on the wall for their demonstration was to send the message that “menstruation is an ordinary human physiological function that we don’t need to hide or to feel ashamed of.”After a debate about the price of sanitary pads was ignited by the story of a teenager who had to use an insole during her period because sanitary pads were too expensive, a lawmaker in a local legislature remarked that it was revolting to use the word “sanitary pad” in public.“Even though I knew there was nothing shameful about my period, I used to hide my sanitary pads and call it ’that time of the month,‘” said one of the women who took part in the demonstration as she attached a sanitary pad painted red to the wall.By Bang Jun-ho, staff reporter