‘A Lack of Respect’: Chinese Women Mobilize Against Subpar Sanitary Pads
An online campaign has prompted major pad manufacturers to apologize. Regulators said they would consider women’s criticisms when writing new standards.
By Vivian Wang
When Sabrina Wang, a Chinese university student, saw an online post that claimed that manufacturers of sanitary pads had been cheating women, selling them pads that were significantly shorter than advertised, she decided to measure her own. She was shocked to find that all three brands she had at home were shorter than labeled, by as much as 17 percent....
Ms. Wang was joining a chorus of voices in China that in recent weeks have demanded greater accountability from sanitary pad manufacturers and government regulators — and, more broadly, greater consideration of women. Criticism of the lengths of pads quickly expanded to scrutiny of their quality and price. From there, the conversation branched out to topics like inadequate sex education, body shaming and the lack of female corporate leaders.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/28/world/asia/china-sanitary-pads-women.html
Chinese companies apologise for 'shrunken' sanitary pads
The uproar has extended into broader grievances about women being short-changed by feminine hygiene products, which have a history of safety scandals in China.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cev9ry341dyo
In China, 'the online expression of anger over menstrual pads has taken a very political turn'
"Is it thanks to these few centimeters that you think you're going to get rich?"
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2024/12/09/in-china-the-online-expression-of-anger-over-menstrual-pads-has-taken-a-very-political-turn_6735674_23.html