Political protests with sanitary pads on their faces...controversy over demeaning women
Aug 06, 2025
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Criticism is pouring out from civic groups that it is an act of demeaning women.
According to foreign media, including the Oriental Daily, members of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) veteran club held a protest with sanitary pads on their faces in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia on the 3rd.
The protests stemmed from the DAP Central Party's nomination of a person from another region as a candidate for the Senate instead of a local talent.
The veteran club president who led the protest said "The sanitary pads are thick, non-penetrating, symbolizing a cover-up"This is an expression of the silence of the local DAP commissioners" he explained.
He added "Negri Sambiran has 120 branches and tens of thousands of party members. Are you saying that not a single candidate is eligible for the Senate? This is an insult to local party members,' he said, strongly criticizing.
After the demonstration was made public, controversy erupted over demeaning women.
The head of the DAP Ministry of Gender Equality pointed out that "the use of sanitary pads as a tool for attack or mockery is an act that reinforces long-standing menstrual-related shame and stigma.'
"There are many girls in Malaysia who miss school because they don't have sanitary pads," she said, criticizing the act of taking the symbolism of sanitary pads lightly.
DAP Women's Department also bolstered her point, saying, `Sistern is not a tool that will be used for personal gain or internal protest.'
As the controversy grew, the veteran club president issued an official apology, saying, "There was no intention of discriminating against or insulting women at all.", he explained.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
