<
https://theconversation.com/how-menstruation-is-being-weaponised-in-war-281894>
"The Tatmawdaw – the military government in Myanmar – has reportedly expanded a
ban on menstrual products from being transported in the country across key
routes, as part of the ongoing civil war in the country.
This targeting of sanitary pads appears to be an extension of the military’s
so-called “Four Cuts” strategy, which seeks to sever resistance forces from
food, funds, intelligence and recruits.
Menstrual products, it seems, have been added to that logic – and in the
process stealing women’s dignity and basic human rights. While there has been
no official communication about the ban, a spokeperson for local non-government
organisation Sisters2Sisters says soldiers on the ground have indicated the
crackdown is out of the belief that the products are being used “by the
People’s Defence Force for medical reasons and as support for their feet and
boots to absorb sweat and blood”.
As medical experts point out, the logic here is absurd, as sanitary pads would
be a poor substitute for actual combat triage. In addition, the targeting of
medical supplies during conflict is expressly prohibited under international
law.
The consequence of restricting access to menstrual products is not merely one
of inconvenience, and during conflict it can be especially dire."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
