KUALA LUMPUR, 27 JUNE 2024 – The national-leg of ‘Program Kasih Remaja: Advokasi SRH’ by LPPKN that is run in partnership with Kotex Malaysia was officially launched today by YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Binti Shukri, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development and in the presence of YB Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, MP of Bandar Tun Razak and wife of Prime Minister at International Youth Center (IYC).
KASIH Remaja takes on a PPP (Public Private Partnership) model involving governmental agencies, NGOs and the private sector in the implementation of the PEKERTI Policy and Action Plan 2022-2025 which focusses expanding awareness on the importance of reproductive and social health education amongst Malaysians. The four components of Program Advokasi SRH are i) SRH advocacy; ii) self-learning SRH tools; iii) SRH counselling and KafeTEEN clinic, iv) menstrual hygiene kits
Kotex Malaysia has pledged to support components i, ii, iv where the inventor of sanitary pads had committed to a contribution of 600,000 Kotex menstrual hygiene kits to be given out over a three-year period. Each kit is furnished with a pack of Kotex Soft and Smooth dan pantyliner Kotex Daily Fresh respectively along with related printed educational material.
“This collaboration has benefited 98,000 students nationwide so far and is expected to reach 200,000 by end of this year,” said Mr Lim Yu Chien, Managing Director of Kimberly-Clark Malaysia,
Besides that, Lim also shared that Kotex Malaysia had developed two educational video content on period management and SRH which will be played in national schools. “We had consulted a team of medical experts, educators, and women NGO employees for the development of the contents of the video to ensure that they are good quality while taking into account Malaysia’s cultural and societal nuances.
According to Lim, the first video will center on period management and covers topics such as first period, PMS, a healthy cycle, best hygiene practices and more. Meanwhile, the second video focusses on reproductive health and body rights amongst others.
A study conducted by the brand had revealed that 50% of Malaysian girls wishes that they can be absent from school when they are menstruating. Additionally, 50% of Malaysian girls lacked self-confidence and didn’t feel good about themselves when on their period.
“These issues exist because period is still being stigmatized and treated as a taboo which arise because students do not have the right information about period. As a leading brand, we believe that women and girls should never be held back because of their periods. Knowledge is power. With adequate knowledge on how to manage their period and care for themselves with dignity, we believe we can put an end to period stigma once and for all,” concluded Lim.
The launch event saw the participation of 500 students. Prior to the main ceremony, four talks were conducted by various Governmental agencies to furnish students with the knowledge on a wide range of topics including advocacy against sexual harassment, the promotion of child rights and emotional resilience.
periods.
