She said Putrajaya should not simply offer sanitary pads at ministries or government offices.

“We should target those who are truly struggling, like the Orang Asli and Bottom 40 (B40) income group,” she told reporters on the sidelines of an event here today.

Health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa had said on Monday that her ministry would be providing free sanitary pads in all toilets at the health ministry’s building to address period poverty.

Nancy said the initiative by the health ministry should extend beyond its confines.

“I’m not sure how it works but it is difficult to identify those who can or cannot access sanitary pads within the office,” she said.

She said the women, family and community development ministry was focused on educating young people on the matter.

Zaliha’s initiative had drawn criticism from netizens as well as Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who said sanitary pads should be given to those who were in need of them.