2017 had been a tumultuous year in America. In the U.S. elections, a presidential candidate boasted about groping females and his wife’s quick defence of it being ‘boy’s talk’, made it seem acceptable for females to be spoken about or worse, treated in that manner.
Harvey Weinstein’s decades of sexual abuse came to light and powerful men in U.S. having their day of reckoning when women spoke out about sexual harassment. Females faced a storm of in-your-face provocations and both genders responded with their own worldwide tornado of #MeToo activism and Woman Marches in protest, to secure and protect women’s basic rights around the world. The atmosphere has been electrifying.
Female Wellness Movement
“Could the female wellness movement been a direct response to patriarchal leaders making health decisions on behalf of females?”
In an infamous photo that captured the world’s attention, a group of men surrounded the most powerful man in the world, signing away reproductive rights of women in developing countries, including access to contraceptives. Another recent 2017 photo showing a group of males discussing the women’s health care bill struck a raw nerve because there was not a single female around the table. Viagra is covered by medical insurance but women’s contraceptives are in dispute. Could the female wellness movement been a direct response to patriarchal leaders making health decisions on behalf of females?
In Singapore
In Singapore, perhaps the situation is slightly different. Females have access to medical care with healthcare professionals making medical decisions instead of the government. Females have choices in terms of healthcare. However, our issues lie largely with our implicit traditional Asian values that artificially restrain actions and behaviors. This could be the same around the world where similar values are shared.
Moon Cycles and Blue Blood
“ Period blood is most definitely blue. ”
For example, why is menstruation made invisible and embarrassing? Girls hide their sanitary napkins when going to the bathroom. In sanitary napkin ads, blue liquids are being used. Period blood is most definitely blue. Octopus bleeds blue blood. Females must be octopuses too. Even instructors in yoga classes, a largely female environment, will say, “Those on your moon cycle, please do not do inversions.” Moon cycle is a euphemism for menstruation.
Menstruation is a natural process and a provider of life. However, according to our traditional values, a menstruating female is considered impure and have to self-limit her access to ‘restricted’ zones and avoid traditional rituals.
Designers Can Empower Females
Perhaps the new generation of widely exposed and highly educated designers could lead media campaigns to celebrate the female cycle and female products. A female having her period should be considered powerful and blessed. It is afterall an empowering process that celebrates her femaleness and her ability to provide nourishment for new life
Products that caters to female population could go beyond making a phone case pink too. Software, diagnostics, products, and services that use technology to focus on women's health can be developed to solve unaddressed issues. #Femtech.
More can definitely be done to help ladies in their quest for emotional and physical health. Education of females and their growth in the workplace has resulted in an increase in their spending power as well. They will have the ability to fund their self-care. In the next few blog posts, we shall explore development in Femtech and how it empowers women in taking charge of their health.
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