Breaking the stigma: Go with the Flow hosts DIY pad workshops
The CSUN program Go with the Flow held a DIY pad workshop on April 10 from 2 to 5 p.m., where students learned how to make reusable menstrual pads.
According to the HERE Center, Go with the Flow is part of CSUN's Menstrual Equity, a program aimed at expanding “accessibility, awareness, and education around menstrual equity.”
Launched just a few years ago, this workshop was first created as a means to promote sustainable menstruation, with a focus on using eco-friendly products during menstruation. Currently, most menstrual products are not biodegradable and can take up to 800 years to break down, according to the National Library of Medicine.
“So the idea is to move away from single-use products. [products] And we try to use more reusable things,” explained Lisa Chaudhari, co-facilitator of Go with the Flow. “We wanted to show people that you can make this at home. You don't even need a sewing machine, you can sew it by hand.”
In addition to sustainable menstruation, the DIY pad workshop also addressed the issue of period poverty and lack of access to appropriate menstrual products due to financial constraints.
“It is estimated that approximately $18,000 is spent on disposable sanitary products. [in an individual’s lifetime]” said Elisa Vidauri, Flow Peer Ambassador. “Imagine: If you only use reusable items, they will last many years longer than single-use items. [product]. So it's kind to your wallet. ”
During the event, students were given kits to make menstrual napkins. The item included layers of fabric, cotton, and buttons. Through an instructional video, participants were given step-by-step instructions on how to use the sewing machine and how to bundle the prepared materials.
Although details are still being finalized, Go with the Flow hopes to hold another DIY workshop in the fall semester. However, instead of pads, this event will focus on creating wet bags that can hold reusable menstrual products. Wet bags are often used to store dirty items such as diapers.
“That might be a nice compliment to what we're already doing,” Chaudhary said. “We're always looking for new products and new ways to talk about things.”