Period poverty is not something new that many women battle with. It has been going on for a long time and fortunately, actions have finally been taken to address the issue, but many Malaysians are not happy with its execution.
Just yesterday (December 12), health minister Dr. Zaliha Mustafa announced that sanitary pads giveaway is finally kickstarting, but the early recipients may not be who you think they are.
“Free sanitary pads giveaway will be done in the Ministry of Health, and will begin in the washrooms of the minister’s office.”
Dr. Zaliha also said,
“As the first female health minister, I think it’s wise for us to kickstart this initiative in the MoH itself.”
She added that it will bring a huge impact on what is considered a small initiative. You can listen to her statement below.
Menteri Kesihatan, Dr @Zaliha_DrZ berkata pemberian tuala wanita percuma akan dilakukan di KKM dan akan dimulakan di tandas pejabat menteri.
"Inisiatif ini kecil, namun impaknya besar," katanya. #AWANInews pic.twitter.com/htreC4AxhA
— ??Astro AWANI?? (@501Awani) December 12, 2022
While people may applaud her decision, many Malaysians are simply not buying it as they are NOT happy with where the minister decided to start distributing the free menstrual products. Some have asked Dr. Zaliha if she actually grasps the meaning of period poverty.
“I thought period poverty applied to the B40 and the ones in rural areas? Why do we even begin in the T20’s washrooms?”
“Everyone in MoH has wages and has their own transportation. The ones in the minister’s office are the higher M40 to T20. Do they even want low-quality free products? How could you make a mistake when you have just begun working?”
In the meantime, more Malaysians continued to point out that the “location” of the distribution of sanitary pads have started in the wrong place.
“You can find the B40 group in the flat and in the rural areas, not in the government’s office. How many in the office are even from the B40? They spent hundreds on handbags and shoes alone.”
“If MoH staff has period poverty, you raise her pay, not free pads. You were good as the opposition when you failed the policy. Why would you even give free pads to public servants?”
“Kickstarting free pads initiative in the minister’s office doesn’t sound right. It’s like opening a foodbank in Bukit Tunku, or free breakfast for students in Mont Kiara International School.”
We definitely applaud Dr. Zaliha’s action in making free sanitary pads possible to eradicate period poverty, but do you think the initiative could’ve started somewhere with the right target?
Also read: Selangor Will Become First State to Give FREE Sanitary Pads, Hopes to Address Period Poverty
