IN response to the letter to the editor in last week’s edition (‘Pick a different issue,’ April 10, 2024) written by Mrs Smith from Willaston.
Mrs Smith, I am ashamed to have you purporting to speak for all women.
You certainly do not speak for me, nor for the women in my life.
Your claim that there is no such thing as period poverty is preposterous, to say the least.
The fact of the matter is that sanitary products for menstruation are a necessity, that they cost money and that this cost is one women unfairly have to bear.
How dare you attempt to shame Ethan for trying to advocate for the community of Gawler?
For trying to ease that burden even slightly?
Note I say community without qualifiers – because you say the issue is “not for the majority”, but as of the 2021 census women made up 51.7 per cent of Gawler’s population.
Beyond that textbook majority, I implore you to name a single person in this world who is not affected by the fact of life that is menstruation.
Everyone knows a menstruating woman.
That is not secret.
That is not shameful.
I believe you, Mrs Smith, are ashamed by your period.
Do not make that everyone else’s problem.
Hannah Feuerherdt,
Gawler South
