Addressing the challenges of period poverty, a community initiative in Malaysia is working to improve menstrual health education and provide greater access to hygiene products for young girls.

Kitaran Kita, led by final-year English language and literature student Adriana Tasnim from the International Islamic University Malaysia, was inspired by her visits to underprivileged communities in Chow Kit and Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. During these visits, Adriana encountered women who struggled to afford sanitary pads, sometimes resorting to extreme measures to reduce expenses. “One woman told me she knew of women who were willing to get pregnant because they would not have to spend money on sanitary pads for nine months,” Adriana said, highlighting the difficult choices faced by those experiencing period poverty.

The initiative focuses not only on providing sanitary products but also on addressing broader issues such as access to clean toilets, water, proper menstrual hygiene facilities, and accurate information. At a primary school in Setapak, Adriana established a “pad bank” stocked with sanitary pads in the school toilets, helping students in People’s Housing Programme (PPR) communities who could not afford these essentials.

Adriana emphasized that period poverty often leads to girls missing school and called for sustainable programmes supported by corporate sponsorship to ensure a continuous supply of menstrual products rather than one-time distributions. She also urged parents, including fathers, to become more knowledgeable about menstrual health to better support their daughters. “Menstrual education is something everyone should know. It is not just a women’s issue,” she said, noting that men often want to help but lack the necessary understanding.

Complementing this effort, a menstrual health awareness session was recently held at SMK Convent Green Lane, attended by 178 Form One female students. The session was led by KC Sharveeni, a graduate of medicine and surgery, who addressed common misconceptions about menstruation. Sharveeni pointed out lingering myths such as menstruation being dirty, the need to avoid physical activity, and the acceptance of severe cramps as normal.

Sharveeni stressed that while symptoms like cramps, bloating, headache, fatigue, mood swings, and anxiety can be common, severe symptoms should not be dismissed. She advised medical consultation for girls whose menstrual cycles are consistently shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days, or when bleeding exceeds seven days. Warning signs also include needing to change sanitary products frequently due to heavy bleeding and experiencing cramps that interfere with daily activities. Girls who have not started menstruating by age 16 are also encouraged to seek medical advice.

Conditions such as fibroids and endometriosis, which can cause heavy or painful periods, were noted as important to recognize rather than ignore. Sharveeni also debunked the myth that exercise should be avoided during menstruation, recommending activities like walking, stretching, yoga, dancing, and swimming as ways to reduce discomfort.

Students were further guided to maintain balanced diets, stay hydrated, ensure sufficient sleep, and track their menstrual cycles to better manage and understand their periods. The programme included an interactive myth-versus-fact segment, a question-and-answer session, and distribution of free menstrual underwear, generously sponsored by a corporate partner.

This comprehensive approach aims to empower young girls with knowledge and resources to manage their menstrual health with dignity and confidence.