Women’s group calls for menstrual products to be treated as essential infrastructure amid concerns over accessibility and stigma
PETALING JAYA: The lack of access to basic menstrual hygiene products is quietly forcing women and girls out of classrooms, workplaces and public spaces in Malaysia, exposing what advocates describe as a deeply overlooked public inequality issue.
Women Of Will (WOW) chief operating officer Zulikhwan Ayub said sanitary products should be recognised as essential public infrastructure – no differently from toilet paper or soap in public toilets – as menstrual poverty continues to affect the dignity, mobility and participation of women and girls in daily life.
Speaking on menstrual poverty and accessibility, Zulikhwan said menstruation is a basic human reality and the absence of access to menstrual products can lead to immediate physical, emotional and social consequences.
“If we accept that toilets are public infrastructure because they meet a basic human need, then menstrual products logically sit in the same category,” he said.
He explained that inconsistent access to sanitary products affects more than hygiene, pointing out that it also impacts dignity, mobility, education and participation in society.
“From my experience working with women across different communities, what stands out is that the issue is not just about hygiene, but also dignity and participation.
“When access is inconsistent, it quietly excludes women and girls from public life,” he said.
Zulikhwan said menstrual poverty in Malaysia remains more serious than many realise, largely because it is underreported and hidden behind stigma.
According to him, the issue cuts across students, low-income urban families and rural populations, although the challenges faced by each group differ. He said girls from B40 households are among the most visibly affected, with some skipping school during menstruation because they lack access to sanitary products.
“That has long-term implications on education and confidence.”
He added that low-income urban communities often face financial pressures where menstrual products are deprioritised against essentials such as food and rent, while rural communities struggle with limited product availability, lack of awareness and cultural taboos.
WOW, he said, has attempted to address the stigma through free product distribution initiatives and awareness campaigns.
He said stigma continues to slow progress at multiple levels, including policy urgency, corporate participation and community discussions.
To improve accessibility nationwide, he called for several policy reforms at both local council and federal government levels.
On proposals to install sanitary pad vending machines or provide single-pad access in public spaces, he described such measures as helpful but insufficient on their own.
He said vending machines and public access points can offer immediate relief and reduce stress for those caught unprepared, but warned that deeper structural issues must also be addressed.
“If someone cannot afford products regularly, a vending machine in a public toilet doesn’t solve their core problem.
“The right approach is layered – quick wins like public access points, combined with longer-term structural solutions such as subsidies, education in schools and normalising the conversation.”
He also urged the government to incorporate menstrual health education into school curricula for both girls and boys to combat stigma from an early age.
