PETALING JAYA: Teenage girls from lower income (B40) households in Selangor will receive a special kit which will help address public stigma related to menstrual constraints through proper education.

       Kit Prihatin Perempuan is aimed at providing support and raising awareness among teenage girls from the ages of nine to 17, along with a supply of reusable sanitary pads.

       The initiative by Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin will be implemented by Persatuan Anak-Anakmu Selangor in collaboration with Penggerak Wanita Muda Negara (Selangor).

       A total of 200 kits will be distributed under its first phase and applications can also be made by representatives, parents or guardians of the girls.

       Conditions for eligibility is that they must be aged nine to 17 years old, from the B40 group and a resident in Selangor.

       Those interested can visit https://charipad.my/backend/signup.php.

       A recent survey by the non-governmental organisation WASH United, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (Waggs) and Unicef found that about one in four women and girls between the ages of 13 and 35 are finding it harder to manage their periods since the beginning of the pandemic.

       The survey also found that 47% of women are finding it more difficult to access menstrual supplies since the pandemic started, and most of those affected are from underprivileged households.

       In Malaysia, the pandemic has increased financial hardship for B40 communities hit hard by job losses, and the ability to purchase menstrual products every month is not possible for many people.