Malaysia: the timid fight against menstrual poverty among women
International Menstrual Day takes place this Sunday, May 28. Also called "World Menstrual Hygiene Day", the goal is to end taboos and raise awareness of the importance of menstrual hygiene among women around the world. In Malaysia, some associations are trying to set up, timidly, to fight against period poverty with different actions.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day is an international day that takes place every year on 28 May (illustration image). Getty Images - ondacaracola photography
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With our correspondent in Kuala Lumpur, Juliette Pietraszewski
In front of a store, Fahide, 33, is about to buy sanitary protection. A gesture far from trivial, she explains. "When you study, you have a problem, because often you don't have enough money to pay for both your studies and your basic necessities. Previously, I donated to women who didn't have enough money to buy these items.
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All issues relating to women's health or family planning or sexual health remain really the poor relatives and taboo subjects of the government, but also of the public space and also of education. " says Sophie Lemière, Malaysian policy specialist and director of the social enterprise World Wonderers. A company specialized in projects for the rights of vulnerable populations.
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In Malaysian society, as unfortunately in other emerging countries, seniors, women and children remain the most vulnerable populations, especially for all health-related issues. " she adds.
Menstrual leave, which has been in place for years in neighboring Indonesia, is also not at the center of Malaysian debates either.
>> Also listen: International Menstrual Hygiene Day: situation in Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico and Sweden
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- Malaysia
- Women's rights
- Health and medicine