What does a Vanuatu council’s ban on menstruating women selling food say about kastom, period hygiene and respect for women?

A controversial by-law banning women in a Vanuatu province from handling or selling food during menstruation has led to shock and community outrage. The law, passed by Shefa Provincial Government Council, threatened hefty fines and the loss of food stall permits for women who broke it. However, after Prime Minister Jotham Napat called on the council to revoke the by-law, the council apologised and promised to repeal it just days after it was passed. Sistas Let’s Talk examines the reaction to this by-law and asks: what does it say to women when an all-male council, without consultations, passes a law that would ban them from earning a living for a week each month.  You’ll hear from Pacific Beat’s Aggie Tupou and journalist Lillyrose Welwel, Relvie Poilapa, who represents Vanuatu’s NGO Voes Blong Yumi, and Anne Pakoa who founded the Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition.