‘Period rights are human rights’

Varangtip Satchatippavarn was aware of the stigma surrounding menstruation since her first period. Period stigma is a misconception that regards women’s monthly bleeding as dirty and disgraceful — a taboo. Whenever Varangtip purchased sanitary napkins, the sellers would put them in double bags, so that other people could not see them. Varangtip also experienced allergic reactions to some sanitary pads, so she changed brands several times. To solve her allergy issue, the 26-year-old eventually launched her own sanitary napkin brand, Ira Concept, which is organic and 99% biodegradable.

“When I had my first period, I had continuous bleeding for three months. I did not know that this was abnormal until my mother…