'White flag' campaign inspire efforts to address period poverty
The plight of Malaysians bearing the economic brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic has moved many to acts of charity - with the 'white flag' campaign being a recent effort to note.
But besides food and cash, one issue affecting those struggling to make ends meet is period poverty.
Moved by the white flag campaign, social media influencer Dolly Dollah began putting together feminine hygiene kits last week for women in Shah Alam and Subang Jaya who are in need of basic sanitary supplies.
"My inspiration was when I saw the white flags. I saw many people needing basic items, and as a woman, I know the importance of other basic needs besides food which are needed," she told Malaysiakini.
Among the items in her kit are sanitary pads, Panadol menstrual pills, hand sanitisers, disposable face masks, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, shavers, and detergent.
Each kit costs about RM100 to RM120 with her followers on social media contributing funds. She delivers the aid up to 10 times a week for those in need.
"Sanitary pads and toiletries are very expensive and many people would rather spend money on food instead of on hygiene during these desperate times.
"I tried to put myself in their shoes and spoke to my followers on Instagram to know more," said Dolly.
She said most of the aid recipients were teens who didn't want to burden their families who are struggling to make ends meet.
"They don't have income or have lost their jobs because of Covid-19," Dolly said.
She said people who were struggling needed more help than just food and the government should make an effort to get to know what the people are really going through.
She also hoped the government would allow NGOs to get International Trade and Industry Ministry letters to help them move around to deliver aid.
Dolly's efforts have in part inspired 22-year-old Najihah Mohd Jefry to deliver similar aid to those in need in Johor Bahru.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, the communications student said period poverty was not something most Malaysians talked about despite how important it is for women in difficult financial situations.
"A few weeks ago, my friend was assigned to do an interview on period poverty as a requirement for his assignment among Malaysians and I was interviewed and I realised that period poverty is a taboo issue and not many people are talking about it.
“And then a social media influencer started this project on Instagram, distributing kits around Subang Jaya and Shah Alam so I took the opportunity to do it around Johor Bahru.
“I realised that we Malaysians don't only need food necessities to survive but hygiene is also important for us," Najihah said.
Extra help
Najihah, who uses the handle @urlinna on Instagram and Twitter has already distributed 15 feminine hygiene kits since she began her efforts on Thursday.
Her kits cost about RM40-RM50 and besides feminine hygiene products, they also include toothpaste and medicine. She also gives some additional aid depending on the needs of those who reach out to her.
“People who come up to me asking for help normally tell me their background via WhatsApp and sometimes I would give extra aid such as food and diapers for babies even though they're not included in the kits in the first place," she said.
Besides families struggling financially, Najihah also delivers aid to single mothers and mothers who had recently given birth.
“New mothers need countless amounts of sanitary pads therefore I am glad to give them extra," she said.
Meanwhile, In Between Cultura (IBC), a studio that produces sanitary pads and facemasks, has also been distributing disposable pads at the Little Giraffe Story House community library in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
It began after an IBC spokesperson read a news article about a father who could not afford to buy sanitary pads for his daughters because he had lost his job.
"Many people think that food is a basic necessity but they neglect the fact that sanitary pads are also necessities for women," she said.
The spokesperson shared how another man had approached them asking for help, leading them to distribute feminine hygiene aid and other basic goods to six needy families in Bandar Mahkota Cheras.
"After discussions with the library, we decided to help him to raise funds and buy house supplies."
The six families comprise 19 women and they were given a three-month supply of sanitary pads after IBC managed to raise RM1,000 in a day via Facebook. - Mkini
✍ Credit given to the original owner of this post : ☕ Malaysians Must Know the TRUTH
🌐 Hit This Link To Find Out More On Their Articles...🏄🏻♀️ Enjoy Surfing!
Post a Comment