In an effort to end period poverty, Health Minister Dr. Zaliha Mustafa has started a free sanitary pad initiative in her ministry.
She made the announcement today during the ministry’s monthly assembly, stating that she first intended to make the menstrual products accessible in the restrooms of her office and the Health Ministry complex before expanding to other ministerial ones.
“As the first female health minister, I have to do my part to address period poverty,” she said to rousing applause from the crowd of about 500 public servants.
“I had previously worked on this issue (period poverty) with NGOs (non-governmental organizations), (but) that was on a smaller scale.
“I believe that it is now time to address the matter on a policy level,” The Vibes quoted her as saying.
Later, Dr Zaliha, who is also a Sekijang MP, told reporters that the initiative’s expansion to other ministries was contingent on how well it was received.
She also stated that her ministry will investigate how to alleviate period poverty concerns in Budget 2023.
“We will see what can be upgraded (in Budget 2023). This (free menstrual products in her office) is our kick-off point,” she said.
When asked if her efforts to reduce period poverty will include menstrual awareness campaigns, Dr. Zaliha stated that such initiatives “will require the cooperation of other agencies.”
Period poverty is defined as individuals’ lack of access to menstrual products and sanitation facilities due to financial constraints, which has a negative impact on their health and education.
Selangor became the first state in the country earlier this month to implement a free sanitary pad program as part of its RM2.45 billion Budget 2023.
In 2018, the World Bank stated that an estimated 500 million women and girls all over the world lack adequate basic facilities for menstrual hygiene management.
While period poverty exists in Malaysia, the matter is not openly discussed, resulting in the absence of data on the actual number of people facing this issue.
