September 1st is Disaster Prevention Day.
At a junior and senior high school in Toshima Ward, Tokyo, a seminar was held for male students to learn and support menstrual problems that women have during evacuation life during disasters.
The seminar was held at a boys' school, Hongo Junior High School and High School in Toshima Ward, Tokyo, and was attended by more than 30 people, including members of the "Society Department" that conducts research on social issues and students from nearby schools.
At the beginning, the representative of a women's underwear manufacturer in Tokyo, who served as a lecturer, explained the mechanism of menstruation, and also distributed sanitary products to each student and introduced how to use and dispose of them.
After that, the students were divided into groups and discussed what to do if a family member got their period in the event of a disaster. I want to give it to you,” he said.
In the past, there have been many cases in the past in which women feel a burden not only physically but also mentally because of a shortage of sanitary products when they suddenly get their period or have to evacuate for a long period of time.
In addition, the reality is that there are not enough measures to address women's unique worries, such as the lack of stockpiles of sanitary products at evacuation centers and the lack of space for breastfeeding.
One student who participated said, "I have a younger sister, but I don't think she will be able to talk about her period in the event of a disaster. I want to use what I learned today as a reference and look after her carefully." rice field.
Menstrual problems during disasters Past disasters
Women's menstruation-related worries and issues during disasters have also been reported in past disasters such as the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Kumamoto Earthquake.
According to a survey report by Equal Net Sendai, an NPO in Sendai City, after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, women who were affected by the earthquake said, "I suddenly got my period due to the shock of the earthquake." In addition to being evacuated, my physical condition became unstable due to menstruation, and I was in an extreme state both physically and mentally."
There was also a shortage of sanitary napkins, so some people managed to make ends meet by cutting baby diapers and using them as substitutes.
Kumamoto earthquake: "Insufficient sanitary products" in opinion box
The 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, which witnessed continuous tremors with an intensity of 7 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, also brought to light the issues faced by evacuation centers, such as stockpiling sanitary napkins.
At this time, at the Kumamoto City Gender Equality Center "Haamonii", there were comments in the opinion box set up at the evacuation center that "there weren't enough sanitary products." We responded by setting up a basket and placing a card with the contact information of the city's consultation desk.
After that, when the center conducted a questionnaire about how they felt about life at the evacuation center and what they could improve, they said, ``Men don't have much knowledge about women's bodies. I couldn't bring it up," or "I want men to have an opportunity to learn (about menstruation and necessary sanitary products)."
“Management of shelters from the perspective of women” Government guideline
The national government has issued guidelines for prefectures and local governments so that evacuation centers can be operated from the perspective of women in the event of a disaster.
In addition to sanitary goods, we ask that you stockpile enough diapers, milk, nursing care products, etc., and consider the differences in each situation and needs, such as setting up nursing rooms and separate changing rooms for men and women.
In addition, we are calling on municipalities to create a system that can respond to various needs regardless of gender or age, such as having women participate in the management of evacuation centers.
The government's guidelines emphasize the importance of stockpiling supplies that women need immediately, such as sanitary napkins and women's underwear, in preparation for normal times.
Assuming situations that cannot be handled by public stockpiles alone, it is also effective to conclude disaster relief agreements with convenience stores and supermarkets.
In addition, since confusion will occur immediately after a disaster, it is important to encourage residents themselves to be prepared, and it is desirable to enlighten them to stockpile sanitary products for at least three days to one week.
Distributed by female staff
The guidelines also call for caution when providing sanitary products to evacuees.
After the Great East Japan Earthquake, it was reported that although women's underwear and sanitary products arrived at evacuation centers, it was difficult for women to go to receive them because the person in charge of distribution was a man.
For this reason, it is necessary to devise measures such as distributing sanitary products by female staff and keeping them in women's toilets and dedicated spaces.
List of emergency supplies necessary for women published on the website
In addition, efforts by companies to specifically introduce necessary measures in the event of a disaster are spreading.
Unicharm, a major manufacturer of daily necessities, publishes on its website information on daily preparations and disaster preparedness items necessary for women, children, the elderly, and even pets.
On the page for women, it is explained that in the event of a disaster, it may be difficult to maintain cleanliness, and physical discomfort may occur due to the cold or stress.
Of the following sanitary products, we introduce a method called "rolling stock", in which you regularly buy and stockpile items that you are accustomed to using.
▽ Sanitary napkins (for daytime, night, etc.)
▽ Wet wipes for
sensitive areas
▽ Sanitary shorts
▽ Tampons
▽ Panty liners
▽ Care products to prevent light urine leakage
increase.
▽Makeup remover sheets
▽Oral care products
▽Waterless shampoo
▽Aroma oil ▽
Lotions
(all-in-one serum, etc.)
In addition, it is important to teach knowledge about the body such as menstruation and how to use sanitary products from around the middle grades of elementary school so that they do not become anxious in the event of a disaster.