To ask if it's "culturally insensitive" to send tampons to the women in refugee camps?

[SansaryaAgain]

I didn't think it would be but a woman at work sent out an email to say she's driving to Calais in a few weeks time to take supplies to the Syrian refugees in the camps there, and would we all like to contribute something. A colleague and I thought that the women there would appreciate being sent sanitary products so suggested we send tampons (yes, I know Mooncups are better for the environment but I can buy several boxes of tampons for the price of one Mooncup!) and pads.

But when we told this to the woman doing the drive over she said that under no circumstances could we send tampons as that was "culturally insensitive" of us! Now I knew some very Catholic girls back in the day who refused to use tampons so perhaps very strict Muslim women are the same, but Syria is not Saudi Arabia. Surely there would be some women there who would use tampons?

AIBU to think that Driving Woman is being a bit OTT?

Did I read they need smart phones correctly?

Another reason for sending sanitary pads is that they can be changed very easily, you don't have to wash your hands before & after.

I think you need very clean water for good hygiene for tampons to work safely (same for moon cup, actually). Which is why don't suit if you don't have private toilet areas with good water & soap facilities (can be lacking in camps). I presume the tampon itself could be mixed with all the organic waste, but what about any plastic applicators?

Did I read they need smart phones correctly?

Apparently yes

www.facebook.com/JoinCalAid/photos/a.513726588777492.1073741829.511805962302888/518228858327265/?type=1&theater

but its no doubt a virginity thing.

As well as being the hygiene issue I mentioned and that you seemed to have overlooked whilst concentrating on the virginity aspect of things.

So just to recap - Its considered unhygienic for the menstrual flow to be kept inside the body by way of tampon use.

And as for Syria not being Saudi Arabia - I think you'll find certain aspects of Islam are the same the world over. As is the crossover between the cultural aspects of Christianity and Islam in places like Syria.

Sansarya even if tampons aren't the best idea, you weren't told in a polite way. I would have though tampons more practical too, but I now feel more educated. Haven't used pads for a million years. Weird to think it's the norm in other countries.
Really happy seeing all these initiatives helping in Calais.

I didn't mention that because I don't think hygiene issues come under the blanket of being "culturally insensitive" - we would've been told it was because it was unhygienic.

I didn't mention that because I don't think hygiene issues come under the blanket of being "culturally insensitive" - we would've been told it was because it was unhygienic.

It is when the practice stems from a religious belief and is nothing to do with the non-availability of water etc.

I visited family in far off land that is predominantly muslim. My auntie was fascinated by my tampon bag. She has 3 kids but she's never used a tampon, they really don't have them in her country.
She also thought I was quite brave as apparently so the local urban legend went a lady was given a box and used one and died.
Turns out it was a true story, the lady had put it in as her period was due and had it in at least two days before she developed TSS. She didn't know you need to change them.

Tampons are for the most part culturally unacceptable in the Islamic World where the menstrual flow is supposed to 'flow' in the real sense.

I think this was clear enough.

Fyi am doing a similar stock up. Tesco are doing good value toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap and pads. Even value razors are ok according to a lad at work who uses them.

lihan I didn't think there were many women at the Calais camps either

I'll just point out that I've been to Syria (before it all went to shit) and they had quite a lot of boxes of tampons on the shelf in Carrefour for a predominantly Muslim country..... just sayin'.

I agree that it is a safer bet to send pads. Also, if tampons aren't commonly used then you can't guarantee that one or two women won't misunderstand and die of TSS (I understand that there aren't many women in Calais but still).

Lots of reasons to send pads. They don't require education to use, they're all inclusive, and it's obvious when they're full.

Tampons require a little bit of a walk through. When to change them, not to forget about them, how to use them, etc... Not to mention, in cramped or communal toilet areas, it's just easier to use pads. If you're not used to them or have an unstretched hymen, they can feel really uncomfortable.

But bottom line is, if a charity needs something, I'd get them what they actually need to succeed.

I'll just point out that I've been to Syria (before it all went to shit) and they had quite a lot of boxes of tampons on the shelf in Carrefour for a predominantly Muslim country..... just sayin'.

Well Im a Muslin woman living in a Muslim country that also has C4 and yes there are tampons on the shelves but I imagine that as in Syria the women who buy them are for the most part non Muslims.

My daughters use them, as I did in the past, but none of the other women of my acquaintance ever have. My daughters friends, all highly educated young women don't use them either.

As a woman who has always used tampons apart from post birth i think i would still prefer pads if i was in a camp type situation with no guaranteed access to running water and soap. And also if supplies are low, its ok if you keep a pad for longer than you should but tampons are risky.

Where are all these women in Calais, cant say that I have seen any.

Our experiences are clearly different, Sansoora. I have relatives in the city in question and they're all Muslim - they used them quite happily. I also went to a predominantly Muslim school in the ME and all the girls used them unless they were particularly devout.

Anyway, this is all a bit of a thread derail.

Tesco's 72p for twelve pads are pretty good. I don't often say anything nice about Tesco so enjoy it while it lasts!

And their Everyday Value razors are actually pretty good too. Certainly fine for mine and DTDs hairy legs...

Apparently they have enough sanitary products to last the women in the camps for 3 years and don't need any more at the moment! My mum told me, as she was gathering a few bits, for a local charity collection!

What about nappies, do they need those?

All you people offering tampons, nappies etc to these people in Calais, are you happy to offer them a home and a living when they arrive here? Because if not then you are doing nothing really to help them in the long term, its just nothing helpful at all but if it makes you feel benevolent then good for you.

Because if not then you are doing nothing really to help them in the long term, its just nothing helpful at all

Bollocks. Its helping them right now. They need things right now as well as long term. Are you really saying people who arent in a position to open their homes and give them jobs (how could an unemployed renter [me] do that exactly?) should just not bother offering any help? Are you serious? wants to say something else but itd get deleted

Er, so Shabby, you planning to convert your home to a refugee centre?

neah, don't agree .
Something is better than nothing.

I'd set up free ferry services to processing centres on a Medtn island and send all the refugee boats there, too (Aussie style). Just to stop the crazy migration behaviour. But I know I'm in a minority in thinking that's the least bad option.