China sanitary pad controversy escalates as women's rights groups demand improved products and government action

A controversy over sanitary pads in China has led to a national debate on gender equality. The issue arose when women discovered that pads on the market were smaller than advertised, causing discomfort. Social media platforms have been flooded with complaints, with some women expressing outrage and others calling for stricter oversight of pad manufacturers. Research by women on Xiaohongshu, a popular social media site, found that many brands' pads were shorter than promised on packaging, with one brand's pads being 17% shorter than advertised. This has led to accusations that manufacturers are taking advantage of women's physiological needs to increase profits.