Is feasible transformative change possible without a change in perception and beliefs?
Maynard Webb said that it is fantastic that the world is becoming more open to different ways of working but we still have a long way to go in terms of changing perceptions. Stephen Covey added that in order to change ourselves effectively, we must first change our perception.
Africa is a continent rich in young people who are the future of tomorrow but to leverage the full potential of African youth, half of the population cannot be left behind. As highlighted by the International Year of the Youth Fact Sheet document, investing in girls and young women is not only a human rights imperative but also one of the smartest investments a country can make.
It is worth noting that Kenya has made strides in the investment of adolescent girls by prioritizing menstrual health in the nation. Even so, there is still a lot that needs to be done as the rubber meets the road when 14-year-old Jackline Chepngeno from Bomet, committed suicide in September 2019 after being shamed by her female teacher when she started her period and stained her dress. Lack of information, menstrual hygiene material, safe and private spaces for girls to change their sanitary towels, access to water and soap and lack of proper channels for disposal of sanitary materials plague many adolescent girls from low income homes in Kenya, Africa and the world.
Even so, we cannot forget the stigma and taboo that surrounds menstruation that females are subjected to and the fact that openly discussing menstruation is frowned upon which further perpetuates stigma and discrimination.
Little has been done to address period stigma; to change perceptions around menstruation which is where Nawiri Sist3rs comes in.
Nawiri Sist3rs is an initiative that recognizes the importance of providing menstrual health materials but also how perceptions are a big part of fighting the war against period stigma with an aim to fight shame and restore dignity to adolescent girls through mentorship and sanitary towels.
Nawiri Sist3rs is an initiative that recognizes the importance of providing menstrual health materials but also how perceptions are a big part of fighting the war against period stigma with an aim to fight shame and restore dignity to adolescent girls through mentorship and sanitary towels.
Once your mindset changes, everything on
the outside will change along with it. (Steve Maraboli).
This is a call to action to join the fight against period
stigma and end the silence, the change begins with you
and me.
WE ARE NAWIRI.
