'Men Have Periods Too': Supermarket Removes 'Women' From Sanitary Products Aisle

New Delhi: Britain's big supermarket chain Waitrose is currently in the headlines because of one of its decisions. The company has removed the 'Feminine Care' board from the sanitary pads, tampons and menstrual cups section of its stores and installed 'Intimate Hygiene' there. Two factions were formed on social media. On one side there are those who are calling it an attempt to erase the identity of women. On the other hand, there are those who are saying that this step has been taken keeping more people in mind.

Did this change happen on the advice of an employee?

According to British media reports, this decision was taken after a discussion within the company. There was a meeting with the staff before Pride Month. At the same time, an employee said that the word 'famine care' is not correct. Her argument was that it is not only women who face periods. Trans men and non-binary people also go through periods. Therefore the name should be such that it includes everyone. After this, the company removed 'Feminine Care' from the signboards and computer systems of the shops and replaced it with 'Intimate Hygiene'.

The company also gave another reason?

When the controversy escalated, Waitrose had to give clarification. The company says that this was not done just for gender-neutral language. According to him, now only pads and tampons are not sold in this section. Products for urinary leakage i.e. incontinence are also kept here, which are also used by men. In such a situation, the name 'Feminine Care' did not properly reflect the entire section. The name 'Intimate Hygiene' will make it easier for customers to understand.

Why are people and leaders angry?

As soon as the name was changed, both politics and social media became heated. Many women activists and leaders said that this is the beginning of gradually removing words related to women. His question is, what was the need to remove the word 'feminine' from the thing which is used most by women? People on Twitter are asking that if there is a separate identity for men's products, then why the change in the women's section?

Has this happened before?

This is not the first time Waitrose has been involved in controversy. Earlier on Mother's Day, the company had removed 'Mum' cards and kept gender-neutral cards. Even then there was a lot of criticism. Apart from Waitrose, some other British companies are also now using words like 'Period Products' instead of 'Feminine Hygiene'. Those who are in support say that this makes the language inclusive. Opponents say that this weakens the identity of women.

Has changing the language started a new debate?

In the last few years, such changes have become common in Europe and America. Hospitals, government offices and companies are now choosing words that make trans and non-binary people feel included. But with every change a question also arises, how should there be a balance between inclusivity and separate identity of women? 

This decision of Waitrose has also become a part of the same debate. Opinion is still divided on this issue in Britain.