[UPDATED] Health minister to make available free sanitary pads in her office and beyond

PUTRAJAYA – Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa has initiated a free sanitary pad drive in her ministerial office in an effort to eradicate period poverty.

Announcing the matter during the ministry’s monthly assembly today, she expressed her intention to first make available the menstrual products in the washrooms of her office and the Health Ministry complex before branching out 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 organisations), (but) that was on a smaller scale.

“I believe that it is now time to address the matter on a policy level,” she said.

Speaking to reporters later, Dr Zaliha, who is also Sekijang MP, said the initiative’s expansion to other ministries depended on how well it is received.

She added that her ministry will be looking into how period poverty concerns can be alleviated 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 about whether her efforts to reduce period poverty will include awareness campaigns on menstrual issues, Dr Zaliha said that such initiatives “will require the cooperation of other agencies.”

Period poverty refers to how individuals lack access to menstrual products and sanitation facilities due to financial constraints, leading to adverse consequences for their health and education.

Earlier this month, Selangor became the first state in the country to introduce a free sanitary pad programme under its RM2.45 billion Budget 2023. – The Vibes, December 12, 2022