A controversy surrounding sanitary pads in China has stirred a national conversation on gender equality, with women uncovering that popular brands were selling pads shorter than advertised. This revelation triggered a wave of complaints on social media platforms, notably on Weibo, where discussions amassed nearly 200 million views within a week.
Women expressed discomfort caused by the shorter pads, with one user lamenting frequent leaks. The issue gained momentum when women began measuring their purchased pads in November and discovered discrepancies between actual and advertised lengths.
Chinese media outlet, The Paper, reported that over 20 major brands were selling pads shorter than indicated. While the exterior size deviations fell within the national standards’ margin of error, the absorbent material lengths were significantly shorter. For instance, a pad advertised as 28.4cm had an absorbent lining measuring only 22.6cm.
Dr. Pan Wang from the University of New South Wales highlighted that the public outcry over sanitary pads reflects broader concerns about women’s health and consumer rights in China. This incident has united women in demanding accountability and fair treatment in product manufacturing.
The backlash prompted one pad manufacturer to issue an apology and commit to redesigning their products. State media outlet Xinhua stressed the importance of improving pad quality for women’s health while urging customers to be vigilant in selecting reliable products.
Amid the uproar, some netizens raised concerns about the pH levels of sanitary pads, suggesting similarities to non-skin contact textile products. This revelation fueled worries that pads might not meet the necessary standards for hygiene and comfort.
Furthermore, the incident shed light on the “pink tax” in China, where sanitary products are taxed at a high rate, and products marketed to women are often pricier and of inferior quality compared to those aimed at men. This disparity has fueled demands for enhanced standards in pad production and regulation.
Dr. Chi Zhang from the University of St Andrews emphasized that the sanitary pad scandal has catalyzed a shift in demanding change from manufacturers. Women are leveraging this issue to advocate for higher production standards and challenge systemic gender biases in society.
Moreover, the controversy has sparked a broader conversation about menstruation and the neglect of women’s needs within Chinese society. It underscores the necessity of addressing women’s basic requirements with dignity and fairness, signaling a growing movement towards gender equity and consumer empowerment.
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