Ever since she stopped gracing on our screens as a professional news anchor, Janet Mbugua became an advocate for gender equality and an ambassador for menstrual health and hygiene. Eventually, this enabled her to launch the ‘Inua Dada Foundation’, and recently given rise to an initiative dubbed Period Parties. This article focuses on the former news anchor’s efforts, contributions to the menstrual health, fight against period poverty, and her Period Parties initiative.
What are period parties?
Period parties is a conceptualization that is relatively new to Kenya. However, that does not mean that it has not been there. The whole approach is aimed at girls who are about to or have just begun to experience their periods. The initiative aims to make this transition process a bit comfy, as it aims to make the experience a celebratory one and not a reproach.
This initiative tends to create an environment of love, and one that is surrounded by positivity and fun. The aftermath is a reinforcement of menstruation positively across society. It also seeks to empower girls, boost their confidence, and help them to understand that there is nothing wrong with what they are going through. That way, should they have any issues or pain, they can feel at ease to share it.
Former news anchor Janet Mbugua. Photo/instagram.com
Progress.
Ms. Janet wanted to have physical period parties with her followers, but now with the Coronavirus protocols, she had to revise her decisions and change them into virtual sessions. In her first virtual session, she engaged a few mothers and their daughters online. At first, there was a talk from a gynecologist. It was only a matter of time before a huge number of young girls and adults accompanied them.
She then conducted a second virtual session on the Instagram platform. The session was done during the menstrual hygiene week. This time she had a different approach because she interviewed a different person every ten minutes. She engaged a diverse array of women. This session was watched by thousands and even ended up attracting BBC Africa’s attention.
A screenshot of a virtual session being conducted by Janet Mbugua.
Impact.
In both virtual parties, women were encouraged to be comfortable in who they were. Janet says that the virtual parties were not only aimed for the Kenyan community but also sought to engage women from other countries, and those from different social backgrounds. Having that the parties had a high viewership, the main impact is that it allows for intervention in each other’s community. Janet recognizes this as a towering achievement.
Coronavirus Versus Menstruation.
Most girls usually receive sanitary pads in schools. Now that schools have been closed, this has denied most girls accessibility to sanitary pads. Teen pregnancy cases have become rampant because these sexually uneducated girls are having sex to have money for pads. Their jobless parents can no longer cater to their pocket money. Some girls are also menstruating without dignity by using unhygienic materials such as newspapers and feathers.
Janet Mbugua poses for a photo with girls after donation. Photo/instagram.com
‘Period poverty.’
Janet Mbugua Ndichu campaigns against period poverty and stigmatization. She reports that ‘period poverty’ disrupts many families. She even goes further to say that it is a human rights injustice. “It is a human rights violation that needs addressing as such,” she asseverates.
Conclusion.
Ms. Janet can be recognized as a heroine through her wonderful work in creating awareness. Here in Kenya, through her Inua Dada umbrella, she has donated several sanitary pads and other essentials to many households within Nairobi and several other counties. Most importantly, she has created a haven where girls and women can ask lots of uneasy questions.
