The Mooncup

I heard about the "Mooncup" years ago, and then again recently when Roopa tried it out and said that she would never look back, I finally joined her and I couldn't agree with her more.

What is the Mooncup:

"The Mooncup® is the original silicone menstrual cup designed by women to be a convenient, safe and eco-friendly alternative to tampons and sanitary pads. .........the Mooncup offers an end to the waste, discomfort and expense of disposable sanitary protection."

Here are the benefits to the Mooncup:

• Environmentally friendly - no waste
• Many women suffer from fewer or less intense cramps (I can confirm this one)
• Cheaper then buying sanitary products every month
• Safe

The slight discomfort in "learning" how to use the Mooncup is a lot less then anticipated and you quickly figure out how to use it, with the result that you very soon forget that it is there. Cleaning is relatively easy, even when out and about. I mean lugging around sanitary products can be just as inconvenient and we all are used to that! I thought I would be a little "icked out" when I first took it out and with cleaning it, but I am really not, it is very natural and enlightening.

Try it, I dare you, you will never look back. Jigna

ms understood

We went to see this exhibition at the women's library. It was really interesting, while a little static in its presentation; the conversation that came out of the museum was worth it. Some of our group remembered the Grunswick and Gate Gourmet dispute on a personal level, some had lobbied alongside the union, some remembered relatives marching in protest. The exhibition has an array of fantastic articles, facts, opinions and criticism about all manner of female issues.

While a feminist, im not sure about male bashing eg ' when god made man, she made a mistake' ideology, nonetheless females have through history been persecuted. I recently learned about the psychoanalysis of the female vs queer theory; to be clear I was interested in that age old debate, the glass ceiling and whether women should be have a career or have a family. The discussion was about why women have to adhere to patriarchal rules of society, but instead, why does the patriarchal society not change and move in order to accommodate the females biological reproductive need?

Im not sure if I know enough about any of the above debate, I would like to, it fascinates me. Im blessed to be living in a world where men and women are said to be equal, all the history, all the wars that have been fought and won for me and other women- but what Im faced with in reality confuses me. Working with young people in an environment which was predominantly white male, i see females (colleagues and young people) who are not seen equal to men on so many levels; culturally, professionally, traditionally and witnessing social interaction and professional values...We live with it everyday, its sub conscious. but I must stop remember how it used to be and be grateful that the world is changing-in some places more than others, and it is up to people who are morally and politically grounded to keep at it. I think.

roopa