It’s March, which means International Women’s Day is here! This year, I am shining a spotlight on some incredible girlbosses in Malaysia who are out there breaking barriers and proving that girl power is unstoppable.
These aren’t just your everyday overachievers — they’re changemakers in their communities, fighting for causes they believe in. Let’s meet three girlbosses in Malaysia who are proving that you don’t have to wait to change the world — you just have to start!
Claudia Emma, Founder of P.A.D. Project MY
Period poverty isn’t just about access to pads. It’s about a lack of menstrual products, proper sanitation facilities, and education on menstruation. And Claudia Emma is making sure we talk about it, not treat it as taboo.
This Sarawakian youth founded P.A.D. Project MY, an initiative breaking period stigma and tackling period poverty in Malaysia. Through donation drives and educational talks, she’s ensuring young people, especially in underprivileged communities, have access to sanitary products and proper menstrual health education. Claudia is also a strong advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights, pushing for a future where no one feels ashamed of a natural bodily process.
Her advocacy helped me realize just how deep-rooted the stigma around periods is. It’s not just about providing pads, it’s about changing mindsets. By normalizing conversations on menstrual health and pushing for policy changes, she empowers me to reclaim my bodily autonomy and reminds me that no one should be denied dignity simply because of their period!
Instagram: @padprojectmy
Shereen Ajani, Founder of Persatuan Mahasiswa Orang Asli
For many Orang Asli students, opportunities like internships and scholarships can feel out of reach. That’s exactly why Shereen Ajani, a Temuan youth, co-founded Projek Mahasiswa Orang Asli (PMOA) with her Orang Asli undergraduate friends. Their platform connects Orang Asli students with education and career pathways, helping them build brighter futures.
Her advocacy has taken her to global platforms, including an internship at the New Zealand High Commission, where she explored education programmes and funding opportunities for indigenous communities. She also made history as the first-ever Chairperson of the Board of Visitors for Gombak Orang Asli Hospital, ensuring better representation and healthcare access for her community.
Shereen’s passion for uplifting Orang Asli youth led to her selection as a student ambassador for University Malaya’s Centre for Malaysian Indigenous Studies. This year, she will present at a symposium in Japan, sharing insights on how Orang Asli lives are changing in Malaysia.
What inspires me most is how she fights for Orang Asli students while creating real opportunities for them. She’s proof that advocacy isn’t just about raising awareness – it’s about action. Taking Orang Asli representation to global stages while staying rooted in grassroots efforts shows that change starts from within but can ripple far beyond.
Facebook: Persatuan Mahasiswa Orang Asli Malaysia
Instagram: @persatuanmahasiswaorangaslimys
Rashifa Aljunied, Advocate for #InternBukanBuruhPercuma
If you’ve ever done an unpaid internship and thought, “Wait… am I just free labour?” — you’re not alone. As a leading voice of the #InternBukanBuruhPercuma movement, Rashifa has been pushing for fair wages and legal protections for interns in Malaysia.
In March 2024, she and 17 student groups submitted a memorandum to the Human Resource Minister, YB Steven Sim, demanding paid internships for all. Despite backlash, she kept going, using platforms like The Star, Malaysiakini, and even The Washington Post to highlight the struggles interns face. She’s also passionate about mental health care reform, advocating for better accessibility and policies.
Even in the face of resistance, Rashifa refused to back down. Her work on #InternBukanBuruhPercuma showed me that young people have the power to challenge unjust systems and demand change as she’s not only fighting for fair wages but also setting a precedent for future generations.
Instagram: @rashifaaaa
X: @youngaljunied
Why These Girlbosses Inspired Me
These three girlbosses in Malaysia are proof that you don’t need to wait until you’re “older” or have a fancy title to create change. Whether it’s fighting for period equity, indigenous rights, or fair labour practices, they’re showing us that passion, resilience, and a whole lot of tak kisah, lawan tetap lawan energy can move mountains.
So, this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate these brave girlbossses in Malaysia. Follow them, support their work, and let their stories remind you that you, too, have the power to shake things up too.
READ >> 3 perkara penting untuk mencapai #GirlPower
