Atlas Vending and Libresse have installed feminine hygiene vending machines in local schools and hospitals in Cheras, Malaysia. The initiative is projected to provide up to 600 recipients with a free sanitary pad each month. Each vending machine will provide students with around 12 packs of 32-cm Libresse sanitary pads and will be restocked once a month. Atlas Vending will also conduct routine maintenance to ensure the vending machines are in order.
The vending machines will use a card access system to dispense the free packs of sanitary pads and the access cards will be given to individuals based on demonstrated need.
"One of the most worrying things is that one in four females are absent from schools during their periods. So, what we will be looking to work together with the schools to measure students' attendance, to see if this initiative helps," says Amy Gan, vice president of marketing at Etika Sdn Bdh, representing Atlas Vending, told the news outlet.