Campaign to end period stigma launched

A placard with signatures during the launch of “Flow With Pride,” campaign in Nairobi. (James Wanzala, Standard)

Adolescent girls and women in the country have a reason to smile after the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN sexual and reproductive health agency and the Embassy of Denmark in Kenya launched the ‘Flow With Pride’ campaign recently.

The initiative is aimed at eradicating period stigma and period poverty while promoting menstrual health and dignity.

Despite being a natural and healthy part of life, menstruation in Kenya is still surrounded by stigma that is rooted in taboos and misinformation.

The campaign will work to end period shaming and associated harmful stereotypes and barriers that serve to deepen gender inequality, limiting opportunities for over 12 million adolescent girls and women in Kenya, who experience menstruation each month.

UNFPA and the Embassy of Denmark have partnered with Common Light Pictures, AL IS ON Production, and FilmAid Kenya to conduct widespread screening of the powerful film Impure that is a coming-of-age story inspired by the tragic 2019 incident of a young girl from Kabiangek in Bomet County, who took her own life after being ridiculed for her first menses.

Community screenings of Impure will be held in six counties of Nairobi, Bomet, West Pokot, Turkana, Garissa, and Kwale  as part of awareness and education efforts.

The screenings will be accompanied by facilitated dialogues aimed at creating safe spaces for open conversations about menstrual health while addressing harmful societal norms. “Period stigma and shame create barriers that prevent women and girls from realising their academic, social, and economic aspirations,” said UNFPA Kenya representative Anders Thomsen during the launch of the campaign at the Denmark Embassy residence.

He added; “This campaign is a call to action for all of us to ensure no girl is lost or left behind, by building a society where menstruation is embraced as a normal and healthy part of life.” 

Beyond the stigma, challenges in managing menstruation continue to create further barriers for women and girls.