By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
PETALING JAYA, Feb 14 — The usage of reusable sanitary pads will be expanded throughout the state to overcome the period poverty issue and help protect the environment.
State executive councillor for women development Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud said the initiative is made following a study by Wanita Berdaya Selangor which found many women cannot afford to buy sanitary pads during the movement control order as they need to use the money for food.
“Hence, we would like to suggest a more economical way than using the disposable sanitary pads which also add more burden to the environment,” she said when met during the Free PCR HPV Test for Cervical Cancer Screening at Dewan Komuniti MBPJ in Damansara Damai yesterday.
In August last year, the Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) or MBI had allocated some RM20,000 for the distribution of nearly 3,000 sanitary pads in conjunction with the Period Poverty Care campaign.
Based on the period poverty study by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry last year, 13.1 per cent of teenagers and low-income women cannot afford to buy sanitary pads.
The pilot study involved individuals aged 13 to 24 in 13 People’s Housing Project communities and two Social Welfare Department institutions.
Period poverty refers to a situation when women or their families cannot afford to buy sanitary pads due to financial constraints.
In a related development, women could prevent cervical cancer if they have an awareness to undergo early screening.
Rose Foundation chairman Professor Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman said the test could be conducted using a self-test kit twice a year.
“So far, most of the women who did the test here were tested negative of cancer and if the results are positive, they will be referred to hospitals for further treatment,” she told SelangorKini when met at the event.
Meanwhile, Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialist Professor Dr Woo Yin Ling said a total of 15,000 individuals have undergone screenings under the foundation since three years ago.
She said 400 pre-cancer cases and four positive cases were traced within the period and they were referred for further treatment.
“The awareness level to undergo cervical screening is getting better, however, most of the women thought it had to be done through the pap smear procedure when a new technology method is available,” she said.
