Menstrual Hygiene Day takes place every year on May 28th – more than a day, this is a movement when everyone, individuals and organisations, can join a global conversation and have their say for a more period friendly world! Throughout the year, Brighter Communities Worldwide programmes strive for a world where menstruation is no longer a barrier and where access to menstrual products and sexual and reproductive health and education is a right, not a privilege. On May 28th through events and social media campaigns, we aim to draw attention to the menstruation-related challenges and solutions facing girls and women every month. We cannot create change working alone but coming together for a Period Friendly World we can! Welcome to our MH Day blog post, where we jump into the world of Menstrual Health through a Q&A format with Sonia Cheruto and Judy Chelangat who are the co-ordinators for our Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights programmes in Kenya.
1. To start with, can you tell us a little about yourself and your role with Brighter Communities Worldwide, especially in Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR)?
Answer: “My name is Judith Chelangat I co-ordinate Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the Schools. I train teachers at schools across Kericho county to deliver the SRHR programme to their students. The schools then form SRHR clubs, in these clubs the students are able to learn, share and support each other on issues like menstrual health, puberty and healthy relationships. This helps the students to make informed choices about their reproductive health and life choices.”
“I am Sonia Cheruto and I also coordinate Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights in the communities. I organise trainings for men, women, boys and girls to raise awareness and build knowledge on key Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights topics. I create a safe space for open dialogues on these issues to ensure everyone regardless of their age is able to make informed choices about their reproductive health.”
2. What are some of the key menstrual health challenges faced by girls and women in Kenya?
Answer: “In Kenya women and girls still face challenges in relation to menstrual health management. Lack of sanitary towels still stands as the main challenge affecting them, because of this, many girls miss school and women miss work. Cultural myths and taboos are rampant in the communities and this contributes to inequalities. Lack of good sanitary facilities and education are also some of the challenges that faces the girls and women.”
3. What kind of menstrual health programmes does BCW run, and how do they support communities?
Answer: “Brighter Communities in response to these challenges, run workshops in communities and schools. Topics include menstruation hygiene practice, challenges and solutions, myths and taboos, managing menstruation and introducing options around reusable sanitary pads. As part of the training, girls and women are given a reusable sanitary kit and taught how to make extra pads using locally available materials. In schools we support construction of girl friendly latrine and washroom facilities where a girl can bathe and change at that time of the month. This ensures that a girl does not have to miss school. These workshops create a safe space where participants can discuss menstruation and focus on the fact that it is a normal biological process. Local community members train as ambassadors to deliver workshops and expand the programme. This helps dispel myths and taboos across the community. We advocate for reusable sanitary towels since they are cheap, and can be made using locally available materials and are environmentally friendly.”
Click the link to watch staff member Veronica Chelangat Chuma demonstrate how to make a reusable sanitary pads from scratch! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uK_wSJ_Nwk
4. Do girls and women have access to period products to use and what are they?
Answer: “Majority of people don’t have any access as it is only high status people who might have that access, for the majority of people with no access they would use old rags and clothes as an alternative to menstruation products.”
5. What cultural or societal taboos still exist around menstruation in Kenya?
Answer: “One common taboo is that if women go into the garden during menstruation, the vegetables will dry up. This belief mainly involves traditional vegetables like managu (African nightshade), and sometimes tomatoes and pumpkins. I’ve also heard that women must not go near the church altar during menstruation. Menstruation is seen as something dirty and unhygienic in many places.”
6. How does BCW work to challenge or break these taboos?
Answer: “The majority of these myths come from men and community leaders. Since we work with men and boys in the area of sexual and reproductive health and rights, it gives us a chance to educate them and dispel the taboos that lead to inequality. It’s important to involve them because they have sisters, wives, and daughters and after working with Brighter Communities Worldwide, they now understand that menstruation is a natural thing. One way BCW dispels myths that are affecting the community is through “myth buster” activities during workshops. During this activity both myths and facts about menstrual health are read aloud and the participants then decide whether they believe the statement to be true or false, then discussion follows”.
7. Have there been any new challenges in the past year that are holding girls and women back from a more period-friendly future?
Answer: “Lack of sanitary towels, lack of menstrual education, insufficient access to sanitary facilities and cultural myths and taboos still hold women and girls back from a more period friendly world.”
8. Can you share a story of someone who inspired you during your work on the SRHR programme?
Answer: “David Langat is a trained SRHR ambassador and also a tailor. When he was trained on how to make sanitary towels, he took upon himself to make it an income generating activity. He makes sanitary kits and sells them to his community at low cost. He says women and girls come knocking at his door asking for more kits as he is known for making the kits.”
9. How does BCW involve men and boys in conversations about menstrual health?
Answer: “Brighter Communities Worldwide involve both men and boys in the discussion about menstrual health. Menstruation is not a woman issue but it is for both genders to talk about it and have solutions to the problems that arise. The inclusion of men is crucial in providing a supportive environment, promoting gender equality and reducing stigma and taboos.”
