Period. End of Sentence.

It's quite interesting that despite India being the world's first major democracy to be led by a woman, it's culture still treats them as very much second class citizens - especially when it comes to work. This quite enlightening short feature shows us just how innovative they can be, though, when it comes to dealing with one of the often quite disabling effects of their menstrual cycle. Hitherto, access to tampons has been very limited, but one woman has determined to do something about that. Shown just how to manufacture their own pads from what looked like a large wad of flax that is treated, flattened and rolled, she and a group of colleagues are soon producing enough to serve many in their local community - and they are all biodegradable too. Now I can't say I was totally convinced of the hygienic status of these as they are made by hand and put straight into cardboard boxes on someone's floor, but that they are being made at all and by people determined to do something to alleviate their problem is both impressive and shameful of the authorities that cannot get in front of this issue. On that latter front, it also shines some light on issues around a reluctance - and not just amongst men - to discuss the impact of a woman's period on her life and as one person describes "the biggest taboo" left in modern society. Whilst I'm not so sure that is true, this film certainly illustrates a certain squeamishness to address these "women's problems" and demonstrates that empowering half of the population to participate more fully in the economy - and in life in general - is a bit of a no-brainer.