A year after Myanmar erupted into civil war prompted by a February 2021 military coup, more than half a million people have been internally displaced and millions are unable to access basic food and medical needs. For women, the hardships are compounded by the challenge of managing their monthly periods. “I have to use one sanitary pad for the whole day and night. I use it until the blood overflows and sometimes, I use a cloth when I don’t have pads at all,” said Sandar, from the country’s northwestern Sagaing region. Over the past year, Sandar has had to flee her village on numerous occasions, sleeping under a sheet of tarpaulin in the forest or taking shelter in nearby schools and monasteries. The crisis has not only made it difficult for her to get sanitary pads, but also to find enough water for bathing or washing her underwear – leaving her physically uncomfortable, embarrassed, and at risk of infection. “I don’t feel confident to walk around or go near other people when I am menstruating,” she said. Al Jazeera has used pseudonyms for Sandar and the other women in this article because of the risk of military reprisals for those who speak to journalists. “I feel insecure that people may notice an odour and I constantly ask other women to check my back for blood stains.” >> Full story on Al Jazeera
