Period poverty is not always visible. It does not always show up in statistics or public debates. But in many underserved communities, it is quietly present, month after month, shaping everyday realities that often go unnoticed.
In Flat PKNS Taman Dato’ Harun, Petaling Jaya, several women shared the same concern: the recurring cost of sanitary pads. At RM10 to RM12 per pack, the expense may appear manageable at first glance.
Yet for underserved families balancing rent, groceries, school expenses and transport, it becomes yet another financial strain. For some mothers, it means worrying about how to provide for their daughters each month. For others, it means stretching limited household income even further.
It was through open conversations with the community that the reality became clear. Period poverty here was not a concept. It was lived experience.
This understanding led to the launch of “Empowering Women for Sustainability: Skills Development and Training in Reusable Sanitary Pad Production”, a
collaborative initiative between Taylor’s University’s Eradicating Poverty Impact Lab, the Rotary E-Club of One Kuala Lumpur and Rotary Club of Kajang.
Rather than offering short-term relief through distribution of sanitary products, the initiative embraced a more sustainable and empowering approach: equipping women with the skills to create reusable sanitary pads for themselves and their families.
Ten women from the community enrolled in the training. For many, it was their first time using a sewing machine. The early sessions were filled with trial and error – learning how to select suitable fabrics, cut patterns, and stitch neatly. There were moments of hesitation, but also laughter and encouragement among the participants.
What began as a skills workshop soon became something more meaningful: women learning together, uplifting one another, and building confidence side by side.
Gradually, confidence grew. By the end of the pilot session, a total of 1,000 reusable sanity pads had been produced – each one representing not only practical value, but the power of shared efforts and collective resilience.
Reusable sanitary pads, when properly cared for, can last up to one year. This reduces long-term costs significantly for families and eases the recurring pressure of monthly purchases. More importantly, the women are no longer dependent solely on ongoing aid. The sewing machines provided through the project remain in the community hall, allowing them to continue producing pads and even explore small-scale sewing opportunities that could generate additional income.
The impact, however, goes beyond financial savings.
The training sessions also created a safe and open space for discussions about menstrual hygiene – topics that are often spoken about in hushed tones. Questions were asked. Misconceptions were clarified. For some participants, it was the first time menstruation was discussed without embarrassment or stigma.
That shift matters, and is powerful.
When women understand their health better and feel prepared to manage it, their sense of control changes. One participant shared that she used to feel anxious each month about managing expenses related to her daughters’ menstrual needs. After completing the training, she said she felt more prepared and less worried.
Mimi Zairol Binti Mohamad Nor, Head of Persatuan Warisan Kraf Wanita at PKNS Taman Dato’ Harun, said the programme has created more than practical support for participants.
“This initiative brought the women in our community together. They learned new skills, shared experiences, and realised that they are not facing these challenges alone. When women support one another, the whole community becomes stronger.”
That simple change in mindset reflects something deeper than just a new skill – it speaks to dignity, confidence, and self-reliance.
While this initiative may not solve period poverty on a national scale overnight, it does show what is possible when solutions are practical and community-driven. By combining skills training, health education and sustainability, the initiative addresses not just access, but empowerment in its fullest sense.
Encouraged by the positive response from participants and community leaders, there are plans to expand the initiative to other underserved communities in the future, so that more women and families can benefit from the same model of support, learning, and empowerment.
Because period poverty is not just about access to products. It is about ensuring that no girl misses school, no woman feels ashamed, and no family carries unnecessary stress over a natural biological process.
Sometimes, meaningful change begins in small spaces, in a community hall, around a sewing machine, with women learning something new together.
And sometimes, empowerment starts with a single stitch.
Dr Sharala Subramaniam is a member of the Eradicating Poverty Impact Lab at Taylor’s University.