In a bid to push for menstrual health to be recognised as a human right in Malaysia, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) today released a report entitled Towards Dignified Menstruation For All: A Human Rights Imperative.
Drawing inspiration from best practices in countries like Scotland, Kenya, and Sweden, the report makes recommendations covering legislative reform, policy
integration, data collection, education, healthcare training, and gender-sensitive infrastructure.
Suhakam commissioner Dr Farah Nini Dusuki hoped the report would be used as a framework for policy reforms on menstruation in the country.
“It has taken a village to bring this report to life. We worked with medical professionals, civil society and non-governmental organisations, women and girls from rural and indigenous communities to those in prison cells. Their voices have never been heard before,” she said.
“Today, we honour those voices. This report is not just a document – it is proof of how menstruation has been absent in public policy,” she added.
The preliminary report outlined key barriers to menstrual health, including financial hardship, poor sanitation, lack of privacy, inadequate education, undiagnosed health issues and a lack of psychological support.
Among other recommendations, the report suggested that stakeholders draw inspiration from the Indian Constitution to explicitly recognise menstrual health as a right, implement legislation to distribute free period products to all, and develop a comprehensive sexual education plan to provide timely and age-appropriate information for children, teenage girls and adults.
Worldwide, data from the United Nations shows that more than two billion people menstruate every month. Yet millions of women and girls cannot afford menstrual products or access to safe water and sanitation to manage their menstrual health and hygiene. This interrupts their lives, rights and freedoms.
While Suhakam admits that there are currently no exact figures to show how many Malaysians are affected by period poverty, it hopes the report will spur a national data collection initiative on the issue.
Dr Farah said Suhakam's findings showed that some girls – especially in rural areas – find it difficult to access sanitary products.
“Resellers tend to hike prices and women and girls who need sanitary products have to choose between buying food and pads, with many resorting to using cloth instead.
“While that is not necessarily a bad thing, we believe women should have the right to choose their sanitary products,” she said.
K. Sahanah, one of the report’s co-authors, said menstruators, especially those from marginalised groups, remain invisible.
“When they are seen and heard, their needs can finally be acknowledged and addressed.”
The cost of sanitary products can significantly affect women and girls, leading to period poverty – where they struggle to afford hygiene products. This can result in health risks, girls and women missing school or work, and adverse effects on mental health.
Sahanah said sanitary pad prices in Malaysia can range from 40 sen to RM1 per piece, depending on the length.
“If a woman uses an average of four pads a day during menstruation, it can cost up to RM28 per week, per month.
“Five pieces of sanitary pads cost much more than a cup of instant noodles,” she added.
Speaking via a recorded speech at the launch of the report, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said that while her ministry had initiated programmes to raise awareness of menstrual health in schools, she viewed the Suhakam report as timely.
“I’ve been advocating on issues concerning women and children. This is not just a woman’s issue – it’s a humanitarian issue,” she said.