In the era of millennials, information related to sex among Malaysians is widespread and raises few eyebrows. Yet when a sanitary pad company recently introduced a new design inspired by female genitalia, it immediately sparked noisy fireworks among netizens!
My, oh my… the whole of last week, social media was a battleground due to this issue!
Well, people – first thing’s first. What is wrong with our genitals – specifically female genitals? Are they something to be embarrassed by? To be hidden and never talked about, looked at? Nope – the days of being ashamed by our bodies is OVER!
The main purpose of Libresse’s campaign was to educate our rather conservative community on our genitals – and EVERYONE has genitals. Ignorance about our body – and never talking about it due to conservative attitudes – has led to shame, disease and even death.
Libresse’s motif does not sexualise the vulva – if anything, it is very tastefully incorporated into a beautiful batik design. So why is it bad?! The decorated pad, after all, is used for… the VAGINA.
Did you know that, back in the days when sanitary pads were yet to be introduced in Malaysia, our ancestors used batik cloth when they were menstruating? Don’t believe me? Get a quick fact check with your mom or grandma.. So gais, let’s embrace our very own culture, can we?
If this design were to be worn by a model at a New York fashion show, it would become a must-have for all, and I’m sure that every one of you would be boasting about how proud you are to be Malaysian and the creativity of the design. But when it is introduced locally, people lose their minds!
To take this argument further – if the depiction of the vulva in Libresse’s campaign is so “obscene”, why authorise sex education in schools? Previous generations were not exposed to any sort of sex education and we were doing perfectly fine. If sex education is made legal in Malaysia, so should Libresse’s campaign!
So Lipstiq tips our hat to many strong and bold women out there who voiced their support for Libresse on social media on this issue. Kudos to Nandini and Jenn Chia – y’all surely made this issue a whole lot more impactful and brought sheer justice to the campaign❤️
