INTI International College Subang’s Mass Communication student, Irsalina, recently achieved an impressive fifth-place finish in Kotex’s #SheCan Fund campaign, a platform to support young Malaysian women in pursuing their dreams. Competing among more than 300 contestants, Irsalina was awarded RM10,000 to help realise her artistic ambitions in music and performance. The fund, distributed RM105,000 in grants, is dedicated to empowering young women with creative ideas and bold goals.
Irsalina receives her mock cheque from Kotex for 5th place in the #SheCan Fund campaign, joined by Malaysian singer and Kotex ambassador Iman Troye (third from right).
For Irsalina, the campaign was more than a competition; it was an unexpected opportunity to share her passion. Her entry into the #SheCan Fund campaign came about almost by chance, as she only learned about it from her sister. “I was so grateful to my sister for telling me about it,” she shared, explaining that the competition’s focus on women’s empowerment struck a chord with her. Within two days, she had prepared her video submission, excited to communicate her love for the arts and her dreams of inspiring others through music and performance.
A dedicated performer, Irsalina has immersed herself in singing and dancing, finding her creative expression through performance. “I do both singing and dancing, but I started focusing more on dance performances at university as there are more opportunities here than in high school,” she said. Her #SheCan Fund video entry shared her vision of creating a visual album that combines pop, pop rock, and hip-hop, hoping to bring these vibrant genres to life in Malaysia.
Embracing her identity as a hijabi, Irsalina also hopes to inspire other young women to pursue their ambitions. “I want young girls to see themselves in me and pursue what they admire,” she explained. She hopes to break stereotypes and represent diversity within Malaysia’s music scene by bringing her hijabi identity into genres often dominated by Western influences. Her artistic journey includes blending elements of alternative rock and hip-hop, capturing her unique voice and perspective.
The RM10,000 award from Kotex’s campaign will be pivotal in supporting her next steps. With these funds, she plans to invest in production aspects, including visuals, choreography, and collaborations with local producers. Her goal is to create a polished album that reflects her style and artistic vision. “I assure you that 10% of the funds will go back to the community and support local organisations that help the music scene in Malaysia, such as Langkah Baru and KLPAC,” she explained in her submission. This community-driven focus reflects her dedication to contributing to Malaysia’s evolving arts landscape, giving back to the scene that has inspired her.
Kotex’s #SheCan Fund campaign represents the brand’s commitment to challenging societal barriers that prevent women from pursuing their dreams. “Women continue to face significant barriers in pursuing their dreams and ambitions, including societal stigmas that unfairly label them as weaker during their periods,” noted Sarah Chen, Senior Brand Manager of Kotex. “The message we want girls to take away from this is that period or not, she can.”
Beyond personal achievements, Irsalina sees the #SheCan Fund campaign as an invaluable platform for young women across Malaysia. “This campaign is a valuable starting point for women to get out there and reach for their dreams,” she shared, adding that the support and recognition are tremendous motivators. She remains open to future opportunities and looks forward to similar initiatives encouraging women to pursue their aspirations. “If there’s a similar campaign in the future, I would try for it; there’s no harm in trying,” she said.
As she enters her final year at INTI, Irsalina is more determined than ever to use her #SheCan Fund award to fuel her creative projects and support local music organisations. With a clear vision for her work in pop, rock, and hip-hop, she’s making meaningful strides in bringing her unique voice to Malaysia’s music industry. Through her commitment to her community and dedication to artistic goals, she embodies the #SheCan Fund’s spirit of empowerment, showing how young women can make an impact when given the platform to follow their dreams.
Irsalina stands proudly with fellow #SheCan Fund winners, including students from esteemed institutions like Universiti Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.