KUALA LUMPUR – Selangor will be the first state to introduce a free sanitary pad programme under the state’s RM2.45 billion Budget 2023.
The matter was discussed during the budget debate session at the Selangor assembly yesterday, with Bukit Melawati assemblyman Juwairiya Zulkifli lauding the move to address the stigma and shame surrounding period poverty issues.
“Among the groups at risk of facing such a situation are women in rural areas, the urban poor, and the extreme poor. For female students, the absence of sanitary pads can limit their movements and activities at school,” she said, as quoted by Selangor Journal.
“(Period poverty) could interfere with their learning process and might even lead to students choosing not to attend school and contribute to education dropouts.”
Juwairiya also pointed out that other nations, such as South Korea, Scotland, New Zealand, and France, have already taken the step to ensure that their residents have access to free menstrual resources.
The state’s budget for 2023 was tabled on November 25 by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
To address period poverty, Selangor has allocated RM200,000 out of the RM65.5 million budgeted for public health to provide free sanitary pads and hold awareness campaigns.
Period poverty refers to how individuals lack access to menstrual products and sanitation facilities due to financial constraints, leading to their health and education being negatively impacted. – The Vibes, December 1, 2022
