世界中の女性たちが、健康面における女性特有の問題に直面している。HIV感染症／エイズ、マラリア、肺炎に感染したり、性的暴行などの問題に見舞われたりするリスクは、女性の方が高い。こうした問題の多くは対処が困難で、その土地の文化的慣習に深く根付いていることも多いため、改善には何十年もの年月を要する。
しかし、改善できる問題もある。それも、驚くほどシンプルな方法で大きな成果をあげることができるのだ。その問題とは、世界中の女性にとって、とても大きな障害となっている生理への対策だ。生理は、管理や衛生状態が悪いと、深刻な健康被害や悪習に繋がる場合がある。
ケニアの生理用ナプキン1パックの平均価格は、75シリング、約100円だ。安いと思うかもしれないが、ケニアの未熟練労働者の平均日当が約150円であることを考えると、毎月、生理用ナプキンをコンスタントに購入できない女性が何千人もいるということになる。
適した生理用品が手に入らないとなると、生理の際に別の方法に頼らざるを得ない。たとえば、葉っぱ、新聞、布きれ、コットン、マットレス材、ひどい場合には、泥を使うケースもある。こうしたものは意味がないだけでなく、女性の体に深刻な感染症を招く恐れがある。このようなものを身に着けていることが、どれだけ不快であるかは言うまでもない。
もし安全な生理用品を日常的に使うことができれば、女性たちが安全かつ健康に、仕事や学校などの日常生活を送ることができる。
月経カップは、医療用シリコンで作られた生理用品だ。膣に挿入し、月経液を吸収するのではなく、その受け皿とする。総合的に見て、女性の体にとって非常に安全な生理用品だ。体に有害な漂白剤や化学薬品が使われているタンポンやナプキンなどとは異なり、月経カップは女性の体に悪影響を及ぼすことがなく、毒素性ショック症候群の危険はない。
きちんと挿入すれば、カップは膣から1.3センチほどの場所に真空状態で設置され、漏れを防ぐ。1回カップを装着すれば、12時間は快適で漏れの心配がない。また、最大10年間、カップのリサイクルが可能であるため、経済的で日常利用できる生理用品だ。月経カップを用いることで、北アメリカの女性にとって生理はシンプルになり、嫌なものではなくなった。発展途上国の女性にとっては、人生を変えるものとなるかもしれない。
さらに、月経カップは経済的な負担を軽くし、生理に伴うお金の心配から解放してくれる。毎月の生理用品代が不要になれば、女性たちは浮いたお金を自分や家族のために使えるようになる。
12時間、漏れの心配がなければ、女性は多くのコミュニティーで大きな課題となっている公衆トイレを探す心配もなく、普通に日常生活を送れるようになる。また、シャワー時にカップを洗えばいいだけなので、自分の身体を自由にコントロールできるようになる。
学生も月経カップを使えば、毎日欠かさずに学校に通えるようになる。ケニアの女子学生は、毎月平均4.9日間、総合すると全学生生活の20%を生理で休んでいる。月経カップがあれば、女生徒は日中、トイレのために学校を抜け出す必要がなくなる。漏れてしまうことや、クラスメートに笑われる心配はもうない。教室で快適に学校活動に参加できるのだ。朝食を抜いてナプキンを買いに行く必要だってなくなる。
休まず学校に通うことができれば、勉強もよくできるようになり、中等教育後も学校で勉強を続け、社会的に影響力があり尊敬される人間になれる確率が高まるだろう。
NPO団体「フェム・インターナショナル」が実施している女性のための健康管理プログラムでは、東アフリカの女学生に、必須教育と衛生用品に加えて月経カップを配布し、彼女たちが毎日学校で、安全かつ健康でいられるよう支援している。月経カップや「フェムキット」の寄付については、当団体のホリデー・キャンペーンのページをご覧ください。
この記事はハフポスト・カナダ版に掲載されたものを翻訳しました。
ハフィントンポストでは、「女性のカラダについてもっとオープンに話せる社会になって欲しい」という思いから、『Ladies Be Open』を立ち上げました。
女性のカラダはデリケートで、一人ひとりがみんな違う。だからこそ、その声を形にしたい。そして、みんなが話しやすい空気や会話できる場所を創っていきたいと思っています。
みなさんの「女性のカラダ」に関する体験や思いを聞かせてください。 ハッシュタグ #ladiesbeopen#もっと話そう女性のカラダ も用意しました。 メールもお待ちしています。⇒ladiesbeopen@huffingtonpost.jp
マララ・ユスフザイさん画像集
PAKISTAN MALALA BOOK LAUNCHING(01 of30)
epa03902208 A book by Pakistani girl advocating education rights for girls, Malala Yousafzai, ’I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban’ is on sale at a book store in Islamabad, Pakistan, 08 October 2013. Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the Taliban, is tipped to win the Nobel Peace Prize, but some have dismissed the speculation saying she’s too young. Malala on 09 October 2012 was shot in head by Taliban gunmen, while she was on (credit:epa03902208)
Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting In New York(02 of30)
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 25: Malala Yousafzai speaks after receiving the Leadership in Civil Society award at the annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) award ceremony on September 25, 2013 in New York City. Timed to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly, CGI brings together heads of state, CEOs, philanthropists and others to help find solutions to the world\'s major problems. (Photo by Ramin Talaie/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting In New York(03 of30)
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 25: Queen of Jordan, Rania Al Abdullah (L), awards The Leadership in Civil Society to Malala Yousafzai, at the Clinton Global Citizen Award ceremony on September 25, 2013 in New York City. Timed to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly, CGI brings together heads of state, CEOs, philanthropists and others to help find solutions to the world\'s major problems. (Photo by Ramin Talaie/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting In New York(04 of30)
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 25: Queen of Jordan, Rania Al Abdullah (R), awards The Leadership in Civil Society to Malala Yousafzai, at the Clinton Global Citizen Award ceremony on September 25, 2013 in New York City. Timed to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly, CGI brings together heads of state, CEOs, philanthropists and others to help find solutions to the world\'s major problems. (Photo by Ramin Talaie/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Press Preview For Artist Jonathan Yeo's Celebrity Portraits(05 of30)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Artist Jonathan Yeo poses in front of his portrait of eduction activist Malala Yousafzai at the National Portrait Gallery on September 10, 2013 in London, England. The exhibition of celebrity portraits includes the first painted portrait of education activist Malala Yousafzai and will run from September 10, 2013 - January 5, 2014. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai Opens Birmingham Library(06 of30)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: Malala Yousafzai opens the new Library of Birmingham at Centenary Square on September 3, 2013 in Birmingham, England. The new futuristic building was officially opened by 16-year-old Malala Yousafzai who was attacked by Taliban gunmen on her school bus near her former home in Pakistan in October 2012. The new building was designed by architect Francine Hoube and has cost 189 million GBP. The modern exterior of interlacing rings reflects the canals and tunnels of Birmingham. The library\'s ten floors will house the city\'s internationally significant collections of archives, photography and rare books as well as it\'s lending library. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai Opens Birmingham Library(07 of30)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: Malala Yousafzai opens the new Library of Birmingham at Centenary Square on September 3, 2013 in Birmingham, England. The new futuristic building was officially opened by 16-year-old Malala Yousafzai who was attacked by Taliban gunmen on her school bus near her former home in Pakistan in October 2012. The new building was designed by architect Francine Hoube and has cost 189 million GBP. The modern exterior of interlacing rings reflects the canals and tunnels of Birmingham. The library\'s ten floors will house the city\'s internationally significant collections of archives, photography and rare books as well as it\'s lending library. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai Opens Birmingham Library(08 of30)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: Malala Yousafzai opens the new Library of Birmingham at Centenary Square on September 3, 2013 in Birmingham, England. The new futuristic building was officially opened by 16-year-old Malala Yousafzai who was attacked by Taliban gunmen on her school bus near her former home in Pakistan in October 2012. The new building was designed by architect Francine Hoube and has cost 189 million GBP. The modern exterior of interlacing rings reflects the canals and tunnels of Birmingham. The library\'s ten floors will house the city\'s internationally significant collections of archives, photography and rare books as well as it\'s lending library. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai Opens Birmingham Library(09 of30)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: The Lord Mayor of Birmingham Cllr Mike Leddy looks on as Malala Yousafzai opens the new Library of Birmingham at Centenary Square on September 3, 2013 in Birmingham, England. The new futuristic building was officially opened by 16-year-old Malala Yousafzai who was attacked by Taliban gunmen on her school bus near her former home in Pakistan in October 2012. The new building was designed by architect Francine Hoube and has cost 189 million GBP. The modern exterior of interlacing rings reflects the canals and tunnels of Birmingham. The library\'s ten floors will house the city\'s internationally significant collections of archives, photography and rare books as well as it\'s lending library. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai, Advocate For Girls Education, Speaks At UN(10 of30)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani advocate for girls education who was shot in the head by the Taliban, pauses for a media photo opportunity while attending the United Nations Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 in New York City. The United Nations declared July 12 \'Malala Day.\' Yousafzai also celebrates her birthday today. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai, Advocate For Girls Education, Speaks At UN(11 of30)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani advocate for girls education who was shot in the head by the Taliban, speaks at the United Nations (UN) Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 in New York City. The United Nations declared July 12, \'Malala Day.\' Yousafzai also celebrates her birthday today. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai, Advocate For Girls Education, Speaks At UN(12 of30)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani advocate for girls education who was shot in the head by the Taliban, speaks at the United Nations (UN) Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 in New York City. The United Nations declared July 12, \'Malala Day.\' Yousafzai also celebrates her birthday today. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai, Advocate For Girls Education, Speaks At UN(13 of30)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani advocate for girls education who was shot in the head by the Taliban, speaks at the United Nations (UN) Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 in New York City. The United Nations declared July 12, \'Malala Day.\' Yousafzai also celebrates her birthday today. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai, Advocate For Girls Education, Speaks At UN(14 of30)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani advocate for girls education who was shot in the head by the Taliban, speaks at the United Nations (UN) Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 in New York City. The United Nations declared July 12, \'Malala Day.\' Yousafzai also celebrates her birthday today. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai, Advocate For Girls Education, Speaks At UN(15 of30)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani advocate for girls education who was shot in the head by the Taliban, speaks at the United Nations (UN) Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 in New York City. The United Nations declared July 12, \'Malala Day.\' Yousafzai also celebrates her birthday today. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai, Advocate For Girls Education, Speaks At UN(16 of30)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani advocate for girls education who was shot in the head by the Taliban, smile before she speaks at the United Nations (UN) Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 in New York City. The United Nations declared July 12, \'Malala Day.\' Yousafzai also celebrates her birthday today. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai, Advocate For Girls Education, Speaks At UN(17 of30)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani advocate for girls education who was shot in the head by the Taliban, speaks at the United Nations (UN) Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 in New York City. The United Nations declared July 12, \'Malala Day.\' Yousafzai also celebrates her birthday today. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai, Advocate For Girls Education, Speaks At UN(18 of30)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani advocate for girls education who was shot in the head by the Taliban, speaks at the United Nations (UN) Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 in New York City. The United Nations declared July 12, \'Malala Day.\' Yousafzai also celebrates her birthday today. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai, Advocate For Girls Education, Speaks At UN(19 of30)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani advocate for girls education who was shot in the head by the Taliban, is applauded before she speaks at the United Nations (UN) Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 in New York City. The United Nations declared July 12, \'Malala Day.\' Yousafzai also celebrates her birthday today. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai, Advocate For Girls Education, Speaks At UN(20 of30)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani advocate for girls education who was shot in the head by the Taliban, speaks at the United Nations (UN) Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 in New York City. The United Nations declared July 12, \'Malala Day.\' Yousafzai also celebrates her birthday today. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai, Advocate For Girls Education, Speaks At UN(21 of30)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani advocate for girls education who was shot in the head by the Taliban, speaks at the United Nations (UN) Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 in New York City. The United Nations declared July 12, \'Malala Day.\' Yousafzai also celebrates her birthday today. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai, Advocate For Girls Education, Speaks At UN(22 of30)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: Youth delegates take photos of Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani advocate for girls education who was shot in the head by the Taliban, at the United Nations (UN) Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 in New York City. The United Nations declared July 12, \'Malala Day.\' Yousafzai also celebrates her birthday today. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai, Advocate For Girls Education, Speaks At UN(23 of30)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: Toorpekai Yousafzai, mother of Malala Yousafzai , the 16-year-old Pakistani advocate for girls education who was shot in the head by the Taliban, listens to her daughter\'s speech at the United Nations (UN) Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 in New York City. The United Nations declared July 12, \'Malala Day.\' Yousafzai also celebrates her birthday today. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai, Advocate For Girls Education, Speaks At UN(24 of30)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: United Nations Secretary General Ban-ki Moon (L) shakes hands with Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani advocate for girls education who was shot in the head by the Taliban, at the United Nations (UN) Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 in New York City. The United Nations declared July 12, \'Malala Day.\' Yousafzai also celebrates her birthday today. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai leaves Hospital(25 of30)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - UNDATED: In this handout image supplied by Queen Elizabeth Hospital on January 04, 2013 Malala Yousafzai says goodbye to nurses as she leaves the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The Pakistani schoolgirl activist who was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen has been discharged today from Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham as an inpatient. (Photo by Queen Elizabeth Hospital Via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai leaves Hospital(26 of30)
BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - UNDATED: In this handout image supplied by Queen Elizabeth Hospital on January 04, 2013 Malala Yousafzai says goodbye to nurses as she leaves the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The Pakistani schoolgirl activist who was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen has been discharged today from Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham as an inpatient. (Photo by Queen Elizabeth Hospital Via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malala Yousafzai leaves Hospital(27 of30)
BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - UNDATED: In this handout image supplied by Queen Elizabeth Hospital on January 04, 2013 Malala Yousafzai leaves the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The Pakistani schoolgirl activist who was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen has been discharged today from Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham as an inpatient. (Photo by Queen Elizabeth Hospital Via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
SWEDEN-CHILDREN-RIGHT-PRIZE(28 of30)
Pakistani activist for female education and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai receives the 2014 World\'s Children Prize for the Rights of the Child during an award ceremony at Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred, western Stockholm on October 29, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JONATHAN NACKSTRAND via Getty Images)
SWEDEN-CHILDREN-RIGHT-PRIZE(29 of30)
Pakistani activist for female education and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai (R) receives the 2014 World\'s Children Prize for the Rights of the Child from Queen Silvia of Sweden during an award ceremony at Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred, western Stockholm on October 29, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JONATHAN NACKSTRAND via Getty Images)
SWEDEN-CHILDREN-RIGHT-PRIZE(30 of30)
Pakistani activist for female education and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai addresses a press conference ahead of the 2014 World\'s Children Prize for the Rights of the Child award ceremony at Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred, western Stockholm on October 29, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JONATHAN NACKSTRAND via Getty Images)
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