Period stigmatization is a global recurrent issue which manifests in different ways such as discrimination of girls during their menstruation, downplaying conversations around menstruation, and lack of access to menstrual health supplies.
In Kenya, about 65% of women and girls are unable to afford sanitary towels. I got the chance to talk and distribute sanitary towels to adolescent girls in Langata and Madaraka area alongside Nawiri Sisters Foundation.
Listening to narrations about the girls’ experiences in menstruation was both heart-rending and informative. One of my accomplishments of the day was having the chance to create safe spaces for the girls to freely open up and share their experiences without feeling judged or pressured for answers.
I was so amazed when I heard a 9-year-old girl telling me so much about what menstruation is and what one is supposed to do while you are on a menstrual cycle, yet this is a girl who has not yet begun her menstruation.
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On the flip side, I was saddened to hear the story of a 17-year-old girl who would seclude herself from her classmates while she was on her period and most of the time, she would not approach her friends or teachers to ask for help because she felt ashamed of being on her period.
The girls’ stories opened my eyes to the huge gap of knowledge on menstrual health management that exists in our society as greatly influenced by the ‘culture of silence’. In most communities, menstruation is considered a taboo, therefore, there is little or no guidance for adolescent girls on how to take care of themselves when undergoing menstruation and make them feel comfortable in their bodies rather than feeling ‘dirty’.
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I believe that we, as a nation and the global community, should stand together and create awareness on menstrual health management and eradicate period stigma to help girls feel confident to talk about the challenges they face and seek help without any fear. Seeing the joy the girls had while I helped in issuing pads to them warmed my heart.
I realized how gifted I am and learnt to appreciate the little things that I used to take for granted.
Other than that, we got the chance to sit down with the girls and brainstorm on possible activities that they could engage in to generate income. The girls jointly came up with ideas they could work on, and we guided them through evaluating these business ideas from setting up to managing the ventures. Overall, it was an amazing experience, and I am looking forward to interacting and serving more girls in the community with Nawiri Sisters Foundation.
WE ARE NAWIRI.