Period poverty is not always visible, nor does it always appear in statistics or public discourse. Yet in many underserved communities, it quietly persists month after month, shaping everyday realities that often go unnoticed.

In Flat PKNS Taman Dato’ Harun, Petaling Jaya, several women expressed a shared concern about the recurring cost of sanitary pads. At RM10 to RM12 per pack, the expense may seem manageable at first, but for underserved families balancing rent, groceries, school expenses and transport, it becomes another financial burden. For some mothers, it means worrying each month about how to provide for their daughters, while for others it means stretching already limited household income even further.

Through open conversations with the community, this reality became increasingly clear. Period poverty here was not just a concept, but a 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 focusing solely on short-term relief through the distribution of sanitary products, the initiative adopted a more sustainable and empowering approach by equipping women with the skills to produce reusable sanitary pads for themselves and their families.


Ten women from the community participated in the training. For many, it was their first experience using a sewing machine. The early sessions involved trial and error as they learned to select suitable fabrics, cut patterns and sew neatly. While there were moments of hesitation, there was also laughter, patience and encouragement shared among the participants.

What began as a skills workshop gradually evolved into something more meaningful, as the women learned together, supported one another and built confidence collectively.

By the end of the pilot session, a total of 1,000 reusable sanitary pads had been produced. Each pad represented not only practical value, but also the strength of shared effort and community resilience.

When properly cared for, reusable sanitary pads can last up to a year, significantly reducing long-term costs for families and easing the monthly financial burden. More importantly, the women are no longer solely dependent on ongoing aid. The sewing machines provided through the project remain in the community hall, enabling continued production and opening opportunities for small-scale sewing activities that may generate additional income.

Beyond financial impact, the programme also created a safe space for open conversations about menstrual hygiene, a topic often surrounded by silence and stigma. Questions were encouraged, misconceptions were addressed, and for some participants, it was the first time menstruation was discussed openly without embarrassment.


That shift is significant. When women better understand their health and feel equipped to manage it, their sense of control changes. One participant shared that she previously felt anxious each month about managing expenses related to her daughters’ menstrual needs, but after completing the training, 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. She noted that it has brought women in the community together, allowing them to learn new skills, share experiences and realise they are not facing these challenges alone. According to her, when women support one another, the entire community becomes stronger.

This shift in mindset reflects something deeper than technical skill alone, as it speaks to dignity, confidence and self-reliance.

While the initiative may not eliminate period poverty on a national scale overnight, it demonstrates what is possible when solutions are practical, inclusive and community-driven. By combining skills training, health education and sustainability, it addresses not only access but also 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, ensuring more women and families can benefit from the same model of support, learning and empowerment.

Ultimately, period poverty is not only 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 begins with a single stitch.

Dr Sharala Subramaniam is a member of the Eradicating Poverty Impact Lab at Taylor’s University.