Three German men, perhaps a bit misguided, have introduced a bewildering new product called Pinky Gloves—pink plastic gloves designed for the removal and disposal of tampons and pads. Their concept suggests that “period blood and tampons and pads are icky, and they must be hidden in a bright-pink doggie poo bag.” This odd invention, touted as a solution for disposing of menstrual products “on the go, at parties, or in nature,” has been met with widespread criticism. Many have pointed out that this so-called problem does not actually exist.
The inventors, after consulting their female roommates about the “challenges of disposing of tampons,” thought they had struck gold when they pitched their idea on the German version of Shark Tank—where, surprisingly, they secured an investment. The gloves function as both a glove and a disposal bag, allowing users to wrap up their used products, slide the bag into their purse, and toss it in a trash can later.
However, the reaction has been overwhelmingly negative. One Twitter user expressed their frustration, stating, “Men use a hand urinating. But sure, men, make and shame women into using female genital gloves because our bodies freak you out.” The backlash was so intense that the creators issued an apology on Instagram, acknowledging that they hadn’t fully grasped the implications of their product. They noted that they had received serious criticism that they were previously unaware of, and they admitted, “This was a big mistake.”
While the founders claimed to be promoting discussion about menstruation and its societal aspects, their apology quickly turned into a self-congratulatory statement about generating conversation around a topic they had clearly mismanaged. They concluded by acknowledging their need to learn more about the stigma surrounding menstruation and the importance of de-stigmatizing the subject.
It’s clear that this product is not just unnecessary—it perpetuates stigma for those who menstruate.
Further Reading
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In summary, the Pinky Gloves concept has sparked outrage and laughter alike, highlighting the gap between understanding menstruation and creating products for it. The backlash serves as a reminder that the best solutions are informed by those who experience the issues firsthand.