By Dr Chong Wei Ying and Norshahila Mohamad Razak
Associate Professor Dr Chong Wei Ying and Norshahila Mohamad Razak are academics and members of the Eradicating Poverty Impact Lab at Taylor’s University.
Period poverty—defined as the lack of access to menstrual products, adequate hygiene facilities, and menstrual education—is a real, ongoing public health and human rights issue.
Globally, only about 46–47%1 of schools provide basic water and sanitation facilities necessary for menstrual hygiene (UNICEF, 2024), and many lack bins for menstrual waste—leaving pads improperly disposed of and girls embarrassed in school settings.
Cultural silence also isolates menstruating girls. Globally, around 10% of youth who menstruate miss school due to the lack of menstrual hygiene resources (UN Women, 2025)2. Menstruation remains taboo in many homes and communities. Boys are rarely educated about it, and girls are told to keep it secret.
This combination of inadequate infrastructure and entrenched stigma prevents menstruation from being treated as the normal bodily process it is—and undermines both education and emotional well-being.
Community Efforts Are Leading the Way
Thankfully, grassroots initiatives are leading the way on a national level. The “Haid, Jangan Hide” campaign by the All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) reframes menstruation around dignity, solidarity, and self-efficacy. Through awareness workshops and reusable pad-making activities, the campaign empowers women and girls to understand their bodies and speak up. Peer education fosters open, judgment-free spaces, particularly in underserved communities.
Projek Oh! Bulan—founded by Kelantan activist Zuraidah Daut—tackles period poverty in rural schools. By placing pad donation boxes in salons and grocery stores and distributing supplies to students, the initiative ensures girls no longer miss school simply because they can’t afford pads.
Beyond access, there’s a growing push for sustainable menstrual products such as reusable cloth pads, menstrual cups, and period underwear. These options reduce long-term costs for users —making them viable for low-income communities—while also minimising environmental impact. Disposable pads can take hundreds of years to decompose, with a
single pad containing up to 90% plastic. Over a lifetime, the average menstruator could use around 11,000 pads, contributing significantly to plastic waste (UNEP, 2021)3.
Educational programmes on safe use, cleaning, and storage can overcome cultural hesitations and encourage adoption. Integrating sustainable products into school distribution programmes can give girls choice, dignity, and environmentally friendly options.
These campaigns show that Malaysian communities are ready for change, but they also highlight a critical truth: community efforts alone are not enough.
What the Government Can Do—Beyond Zero GST
Malaysia has taken a commendable first step by zero-rating menstrual products. But affordability alone does not address deeper, systemic issues around access, education, and infrastructure. To truly tackle period poverty, we need a national policy recognising menstrual health as a fundamental aspect of public health and gender equality.
Key actions include:
- Free Sanitary Pads in Schools and Public Institutions
Provide free sanitary pads in all public secondary schools, particularly in low-income areas. Pilot programmes exist—what’s needed now is scale and support.
- Mandatory Menstrual Education for All Genders
Introduce comprehensive menstrual health education in primary and secondary school syllabi. Teach boys too—it’s time to normalise menstruation in classrooms and beyond.
- Basic Facilities with Waste Disposal Systems
Equip all public schools and restrooms with proper disposal bins, clean water, and soap. Safe menstrual hygiene starts with access to clean, private facilities.
- Data-Driven Policy
Commission national-level research to measure the scope of period poverty in Malaysia. Reliable data is crucial for informed policymaking and targeted interventions.
Period poverty isn’t just about pads—it’s about equality, health, and opportunity. No girl should have to stay home from school because she can’t afford basic necessity. Menstrual care is not a luxury, but a right.
In a country aspiring toward high-income status and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, we cannot leave this issue in the shadows. The time for silence is over. The time for policy is now.
