Perak plans to place sanitary napkin vending machines at strategic areas as one of the measures to address the issue of period poverty, among teens and women from the B40 communities.
The Women, Family and Community Welfare Development Committee chairman Datuk Dr. Wan Norashikin Wan Noordin said it was also proposed that the vending machines be stationed at public recreational areas and schools.
Photo via New Straits Times
She said: “We need to discuss this matter with the state Education Department and also the local authorities before we can have the vending machines installed at these locations.
“Some shopping malls have installed sanitary napkin vending machines in toilets. These machines are important especially during menstrual emergencies,” she continued, as reported by BERNAMA.
Wan Norashikin addd that period poverty had also been identified as one of the reasons why students, especially those in Perak rural areas, were skipping school.
Photo via New Straits Times
“Students living in the rural areas also have privacy problems and poor access to water supply.
“They may need to get water supply from wells, which may be located far from their homes and in some cases it is difficult for them to get sanitary napkins,” she said.
The Pemberian Kit Asas Sanitasi Wanita Negeri Perak (PROKIS) programme is created to help create public awareness on the challenges faced by the underprivileged communities in the state of Perak.
On average, about RM20 is needed each month to buy sanitary napkins and painkillers for women in Malaysia.
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
