KOTA KINABALU: Sabah DAP women’s chief Jannie Lasimbang has urged the government to address period poverty, which she says has become more prevalent in the country.
Lasimbang, who is the Kapayan rep, was saddened to read a previous FMT article about a Sabahan girl who had to manage with using strips of old clothes when her period came.
She said period poverty, which is the lack of access to menstrual products, knowledge on menstruation, or hygiene facilities, has become an issue including in urban areas.
She added that among the aid items commonly requested now are sanitary napkins, indicating there are families who cannot afford such essential items.
“Period poverty is happening in Malaysia and the increasing number of women and girls who are unable to afford such basic needs is unacceptable and heartbreaking,” she said in a statement today.
“I hope the government will provide affordable, tax free or even free sustainable sanitary products for girls at school, and women including the homeless who are in need of financial support.
“They must also be given wider access to menstrual hygiene management.”
Lasimbang added that proper access to hygienic products and the right to manage menstruation without embarrassment is fundamental for everyone.
She said she also read that period poverty afflicts the urban poor as the Covid-19 pandemic continues, with some women preferring to get pregnant instead of thinking how to survive the monthly menses.
“While some girls decided to skip school or college because they cannot afford to buy sanitary pads. Some even use old newspapers as sanitary pads or old clothes so that it can be washed and reused.”
She said she had asked the state assembly last December if the state government had any plans to provide free sanitary pads or eliminate sanitary pads tax to address period poverty.
Besides this, she also posed a question to the government asking if it was ready to carry out a research among women and girls, especially from the B40 groups who cannot afford to buy sanitary pads.
“But the reply I received was that the government currently has no plans to give out free sanitary pads. However, the state government has plans to make an index study of women’s well-being,” Lasimbang said.
As such, she said it would be useful to start a programme that encompasses menstrual education as this is a serious health matter.
“Without proper hygienic products, women and girls would be exposed to infections such as urinary tract and yeast infections. A lot of taboos associated with menstruation are still upheld, affecting girls negatively.
“Breaking the silence around menstruation is essential for the positive mental health of both women and girls.
“Collective efforts to improve the lives of those who are suffering period poverty are needed to make period a normal subject,” she said. - FMT
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