LIVE|| International Day For Menstrual Hygiene - 28/05/26

Added: 2026-06-04

[00:00:00]says, "Live, lead, thrive."

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[00:02:33]>> [music] [music] >> Return your TV.

[00:03:15]>> [music] >> Uh, there was a disturbing message news academy regional police commander Yeah, you would you remember to tell your children about my body.

[00:04:19]I don't know what I want to do with you.

[00:04:26]You are the guy at the school yard to mention academy.

[00:04:31]county international menstrual hygiene >> All right.

[00:05:07]Hey, you got to be silent.

[00:05:09]Our guests feel most welcome.

[00:05:12]We will be joining We joining with you in a short while.

[00:05:15]>> Yes, yes.

[00:05:19]>> Madam Magdalene international a day of home for menstrual hygiene Now, to tell you what to do with you.

[00:05:53]>> The role of men in making sure we dignify the menstrual hygiene among women and girls in a choir.

[00:06:06]Dr. Roselyn David studio.

[00:06:14]TV.

[00:06:29]The first place in Miro.

[00:06:35]Stay tuned and TV.

[00:06:39]YouTube TV.

[00:06:42]Number 80 VR.

[00:06:47]I was saying on a Saturday.

[00:06:57]But Dr. Mhm.

[00:07:10]Yeah, kissy. Yeah.

[00:07:15]Mhm.

[00:07:16]Mhm.

[00:07:18]Mhm.

[00:07:21]Mhm.

[00:07:24]They are doctors all of them. Yeah.

[00:07:27]Dr. Uh Magdalene. Yeah.

[00:07:32]Mhm.

[00:07:35]Mhm.

[00:07:36]Yeah.

[00:07:38]>> [laughter] >> Mhm.

[00:07:44]Mhm.

[00:07:47]>> [laughter] >> No, you should be there.

[00:07:50]>> I remember.

[00:07:52]>> Yes.

[00:07:53]>> You live with us.

[00:07:54]>> Yeah.

[00:08:02]>> Franklin my >> Franklin my younger >> the tallest man in the house.

[00:08:06]>> Mhm.

[00:08:06]>> I don't know >> Mhm.

[00:08:10]>> Mhm.

[00:08:13]Mhm.

[00:08:15]Mhm.

[00:08:20]Mhm.

[00:08:22]Mhm. [laughter] >> I engine >> Mhm.

[00:08:31]>> ministry >> ministry engine day >> Mhm.

[00:08:36]Yeah.

[00:08:38]Tunalifanya nini?

[00:08:41]Tunaweka mikakati na kila kitu. Yeah.

[00:08:52]Mhm.

[00:08:59]>> [laughter] >> Mhm.

[00:09:05]Mhm.

[00:09:06]Mhm.

[00:09:13]Mhm.

[00:09:13]>> They are around 10.

[00:09:14]>> Mhm.

[00:09:15]>> You know, 10.

[00:09:17]>> Mhm.

[00:09:19]Mhm.

[00:09:21]>> young soldier foundation >> Mhm.

[00:09:23]>> Yes, been organizing this.

[00:09:24]>> Mhm.

[00:09:25]>> Mhm.

[00:09:28]>> Yes.

[00:09:28]>> Mhm.

[00:09:35]>> Mhm.

[00:09:35]>> So Right. To NASA number eight.

[00:09:39]Okay.

[00:09:40]Yeah.

[00:09:43]Yeah.

[00:09:46]Mhm.

[00:09:48]From the far, far left.

[00:09:51]>> Far, far left.

[00:09:52]>> Yeah.

[00:09:55]Mhm.

[00:09:59]Nyako na Nyako [clears throat] na David.

[00:10:04]A K A Mrs. Oigara.

[00:10:06]Uh Kisii County.

[00:10:12]Kisii County.

[00:10:15]best violence.

[00:10:20]Uh prevention, response, and case management. I'm basically in between the state actors and the non-state actors to make sure that the people who are violated get justice.

[00:10:32]I'm also aspiring I'm not aspiring, actually. I'm the incoming women representative for Kisii County.

[00:10:41]Yes.

[00:10:43]Thank you very much.

[00:10:46]Kisii County, Dr. Roselyn Nyakona David, A K A Mrs. Oigara. Karibu sana, Madam Magdalene.

[00:10:54]Yes. We are Mona Lisa TV for having us here.

[00:10:58]I'm Jane Koro ku Dr. Magdalene Gesare Magangi.

[00:11:01]Uh I'm Koro ku Egerton University Egerton. Njoro.

[00:11:06]A Institute of Gender and Women and Development Studies. Uh Nonda nji nomano mosia and I'm very happy to be marking this day from uh our home. And um I can only say it is important to lend a kilo monitor participate in this. And we are here to um empower and enlighten society as among a non-menstrual hygiene.

[00:11:32]>> Thank you very much. To tell us what I said >> Girls Academy >> Girls Academy What I don't know What can you say?

[00:12:01]Maybe we can start with the Dr. Losid.

[00:12:03]What can you say?

[00:12:05]>> Yeah, on my own behalf as a parent and uh as the incoming women rep for Kisii County, first of all, I want to say pole sana to the parents who have lost their children.

[00:12:18]May the young souls rest in eternal peace.

[00:12:23]Um I will not have so much to comment on this because I don't know what caused the fire.

[00:12:30]The only thing I can ask the government is to And in the G school which is under the water, we also Uh so that what we are extra care Get our one and one they should be someone at least to go monitor what is going on.

[00:13:01]Here maybe if there was really good monitor and the care and put the water we didn't thought that losing 10 lives You manage something again there that for long.

[00:13:14]Uh So, we should be extra cautious and take care of these children.

[00:13:18]>> Thank you.

[00:13:21]>> Yeah, my heart goes out to the parents and the families and the entire school fraternity for the loss.

[00:13:30]Um So, I am deeply heartbroken uh on behalf of every other parent.

[00:13:45]And indeed, this is something that is going to affect not only the families and teachers, but also the students who are with you know, their colleagues, and there is a lot of trauma for the rest in the school.

[00:13:58]Uh but I know the ministry will take up its responsibility.

[00:14:03]Maybe with the investigations and um also to look into the cause of the fire and anything else around that. So, sincere condolences to the families and all the best Anna. It is devastating.

[00:14:18]>> Uh and then It's so really devastating news.

[00:14:38]>> Mhm.

[00:14:39]>> Uh it's so >> Mhm.

[00:14:49]>> about the international industrial hygiene day.

[00:14:53]>> Mhm.

[00:14:54]>> Yes.

[00:15:06]>> Yes. Yes.

[00:15:10]>> general activities but so many Uh Linda, we are challenging schools in Uganda to be very careful. They mitigate Madam Magdalene >> Yes, yes.

[00:15:34]>> Mhm.

[00:15:36]Where are we? I think a day like this last year um we sat down uh last year in the past years uh up to now.

[00:16:05]>> And maybe I can talk about the now why should we have international menstrual >> Okay.

[00:16:15]>> David I'm telling you we have made progress.

[00:16:18]It is not like it used to be.

[00:16:26]One of the primary schools around one of your very break one of the girls uh we started to take classes >> Yes.

[00:16:49]>> menstrual as you age you You know, looking back uh I think information has been given out there and uh why we we mark this day is because of the progress that we have made.

[00:17:13]And also we need to create more awareness about uh menses. We need more people know and without menses So, we need to create awareness and also to to remove stigma.

[00:17:39]Stigma and even mental health issues.

[00:17:45]I So, it means So, this day for us it's very important to to remove stigma, to create awareness, and even tell people that our girls need to have this menses, but with dignity.

[00:18:07]>> Yeah.

[00:18:08]>> Uh because they are aware and why even we needed to have a Brighton here.

[00:18:14]>> Yeah.

[00:18:18]>> So, this is a community issue. It's not an issue about girls only.

[00:18:23]Kira Brighton understands and is able to to teach those other men.

[00:18:31]But they should be the people who So, we this is very important for us because of the creating awareness, stigma, and also telling everybody else that our girls need to have their menses with dignity.

[00:18:54]And without shame.

[00:18:56]>> All right.

[00:18:57]>> That's the point.

[00:18:57]>> Dr. Makali.

[00:18:58]>> Yes.

[00:18:59]>> Uh uh she has mentioned about um uh progress.

[00:19:08]Now, I'm going to mention about dignity.

[00:19:10]There is where I have a problem with our male counterparts. We're going to talk about going forward.

[00:19:15]But do you agree with the Dr. Roselyn that we are somewhere?

[00:19:19]>> Yes.

[00:19:20]A lot of progress has been made over the years.

[00:19:25]Talks about what she witnessed at class one.

[00:19:30]Yesterday I did a post on Facebook of what I experienced um back in high school.

[00:19:37]And mine was not staining.

[00:19:40]But we stain.

[00:19:41]Yeah, women stain their bed sheets.

[00:19:44]We always trying to discover how to deal with the the the the the overflow sometimes. Because you could be seated you don't know you may stain.

[00:19:53]Or you are sleeping and so on. So we are still hoping that technology will take us to a place where um we won't have to worry about staining.

[00:20:03]And I'm sure there's a lot that is going on.

[00:20:06]Um dignity is important. [snorts] Because uh especially for the young girls. For us who have reached this age we can deal with it. But those young girls even how they are prepared for this.

[00:20:22]And I have seen um different groups and individuals and communities trying to even take them through that period. Preparing them, informing them that uh again how they can handle themselves, teaching them in schools or how to even put a pad on them on the on the panty and the conversations around that. I'd like to encourage parents, especially mothers to have those conversations.

[00:20:52]My daughter is in grade nine now.

[00:20:55]She's already in her menses. And that is my younger daughter. The older one uh of course she's okay now.

[00:21:02]But the younger one tells me stories.

[00:21:04]She will tell tell oh my worst my worst day is when my periods come. I'm so stressed, Mom. You know, and things like that. And how do you as a parent in a community like that? I mean, how do you handle that?

[00:21:15]Do you give an audience?

[00:21:19]Hey, we are all going through it. Don't worry. It is 3 to 5 days, or maybe up to 7 days.

[00:21:24]And in that period, you know, like you like you would conduct.

[00:21:28]She She will tell me, "Yesterday I had a bad night. In the middle of the night, I as I was just turning, I stained the sheets. You know, I couldn't sleep. I woke up. I had to go soak the sheets." And that is the child of someone like me. What about the money or the other village?

[00:21:46]What about the privileges that my daughter has?

[00:21:49]That child who is sharing a bed with her three other siblings.

[00:21:53]Who does not have the the luxury of changing sheets?

[00:21:57]So, we need we need to make a few more steps as a society.

[00:22:02]I know I know the second question. I know >> [laughter] >> You know, we have we have done some progress. I know your second question it will come up, but before that, uh how will our men, now that we're involving men, I can see them there.

[00:22:21]How will our men, Dr. Roselyn and David, uh support us? Because you know, a woman who is going through her periods and trust you, her husband is telling her to sleep in the other room because they don't want to to to to to to sleep together.

[00:22:41]uh sanitary towels and her daughter.

[00:22:43]Okay.

[00:22:45]There are men who are very supportive.

[00:22:47]There are and you understand those Africanisms in men.

[00:22:51]And they don't see any dignity in this.

[00:22:54]You know, and they see you know, during those days. Now, you have said My is very is very key.

[00:23:02]When I with society They should be to working with us in this journey. But going to work here when I put you in the There is no support from these men and our boys.

[00:23:12]>> Uh >> I don't like you going to work with you.

[00:23:14]I'm going to from you from you men.

[00:23:16]>> Okay.

[00:23:17]>> From them. When I talk to girlfriend work here.

[00:23:20]>> So >> I'm going to meet you in corner here.

[00:23:22]I'm going to meet you after after after that. I was going to go and look at my chocolate and then I do not see you too.

[00:23:28]When I know you. I'm going to make you my war I'm going to make you pull out my bikini. And then we are left on our own.

[00:23:34]Now Dr. Lena Dr. Magdalena I want What what I do support you give me.

[00:23:39]>> I see you answer Dr. Lena Dr. Magdalena.

[00:23:42]Uh I don't know what you are talking about but I see you on YouTube to go YouTube.

[00:23:46]>> To go YouTube yes.

[00:23:47]>> Uh can you can subscribe or you can send that you can share that link. That's what I make to me so you can send to your team. But Sarah Louisa This is what I want to give you maybe Cindy.

[00:23:59]But that's what I want to give you.

[00:24:00]>> information equal >> I don't have anything to say.

[00:24:02]>> But >> I don't know what I'm going to be saying to you today what this is what I want to know from you.

[00:24:07]To go work here.

[00:24:08]I don't know what you are talking about money. Why? Because you are not natural.

[00:24:13]Why that you cannot help you? Uh I don't know what I'm going to come on now.

[00:24:18]You visit a car. [laughter] I don't know what I'm going to do with my money. What happens? This is what I want to do with my money maybe. I don't know what I'm going to Brighton I don't know what I do come on it's natural. It's a natural thing why?

[00:24:29]But there is some things we encounter in even if it's natural. I don't know what you are talking about maybe. I don't know what you are talking about money.

[00:24:36]I'm going to say to you come on now. Dr. Roselyn answer this. I don't know what you are saying to me come on now.

[00:24:42]Yeah.

[00:24:42]>> I don't have anything to >> Because I am most of our audience and we got some visitors here so you can forgive us when we go sometimes to our language and >> [laughter] >> uh Yeah, I'm happy to see you.

[00:24:58]This lady is from which organization?

[00:25:02]Could you support it by our very good friends from the US?

[00:25:07]They give us a menstrual cups, which I know Brighton doesn't know about, but she will explain.

[00:25:16]So You we need to have a what we call health talk.

[00:25:30]We need to have some kind of conversation around this.

[00:25:34]And to make our men men understand.

[00:25:36]Maybe they could not be understanding.

[00:25:40]We live in a a society that is a very much on patriarchal society.

[00:25:48]Where women had no voice, but at least nowadays we have voice. We can even talk about it. Maybe it maybe you I hear I hear that even when some women So what is going to help us is us to sit down sit down our men.

[00:26:13]>> [clears throat] >> The men who are at least enlightened to go and have some talk with the men and even the the younger boys in school and the universities.

[00:26:24]Let us encourage them to go and have a a talk around this and why it is important to support our women on this.

[00:26:32]Because you see if I'm not wrong, maybe come over and let me ask you forever.

[00:26:38]And it means >> [clears throat and snorts] >> and maybe something in future. So we need to really encourage healthy talks and create more awareness, especially to the men who might not understand. But, at least I know by this time the steps that we have made is that those things the the talks have been introduced in schools. Now, at some level when we are about to when we talk about reproductive health at least the men are taught about it in school and they might understand. But, also what we need to to tell them is um how to react when they see.

[00:27:21]Because they are well informed, but when they when they see it, how how how are they supposed to react? How are they supposed to support their women?

[00:27:30]And um also ask uh the men to support us in eliminating this stigma.

[00:27:39]Because it that is the main issue and that is the main problem that we have.

[00:27:43]They shouldn't see it as having menses every month as dirty or anything. They should just uh look at it positively.

[00:27:54]It's a natural process. Yes, look at it positively and have some talk around it. That is the only way we can finish this.

[00:28:06]we asked Why can't a man go buy you your your sanitary towels? And you know brand. I can hear I'm going to other brand. My wife uses this one or my daughter uses this one. But, I don't know here. Other men they can be reasonable enough to go pay for it.

[00:28:24]But, they cannot go and buy some of them.

[00:28:28]>> [laughter] >> These are the many other We cannot handle issues like that alone as women.

[00:28:40]So, male engagement is very important.

[00:28:42]Uh in high school when I had my my menses and they were so painful. Going to tell you endometriosis.

[00:28:51]Very very painful.

[00:28:53]And many women out there undergo that.

[00:28:58]And at some point I was still a child. My dad is a pharmacist by profession.

[00:29:05]So this one time I'm home and it's evening. My dad is in the sitting room and I'm in in the bedroom and the pains could not subside.

[00:29:22]I gathered courage and I went to the sitting room and I told him Dad I am in pain.

[00:29:28]My menses they hurt.

[00:29:31]He told me okay, don't worry.

[00:29:36]He prescribed a ridiculously high dose of antibiotics and I was to take it start and then after I think 30 minutes or 1 hour I was to do the same dose.

[00:29:50]I asked him Dad are you serious? You want to kill me cuz the medicine you are dosing it with a normal. I can you just do as I've told you.

[00:29:59]So I went to kiss the down and they are like eight pills at a go.

[00:30:05]And then the pain died in less than 10 minutes.

[00:30:09]And after the second dose again so I can go for a cab.

[00:30:13]So that was my dad.

[00:30:16]How many young girls can approach you as a father?

[00:30:20]Brighton can your daughter approach you?

[00:30:23]Can your daughter come to you and tell you Dad if you never started this conversation Yes. Cuz you need to start. So you have to you have to have and and women should stop telling wives by the way and women stop telling at the at the men that these are not your issues.

[00:30:39]Stop telling men that you don't talk to your daughters about this.

[00:30:43]If we want to kill the stigma, we should have certain conversations.

[00:30:48]In a In an environment that is okay. I mean, the father does not mean any harm to his daughter for him to engage in such a conversation.

[00:30:56]Okay? Especially where uh there is an open kind of relationship between the father and the daughter. And many fathers love their daughters.

[00:31:05]So, men engagement is important. At Ijatone, there is a club that I happen to be a patron.

[00:31:10]>> It is called Beyond the Cycle Club. And uh I was approached to be the patron by a young man.

[00:31:17]And this club is about menstrual hygiene.

[00:31:20]Once in 3 months, they come together, they look for resources here there.

[00:31:25]They're able to buy sanitary towels, and they go and donate in schools, primary schools, and any other schools around Ijatone.

[00:31:31]But you see the the the the the chairman and a number of members in that club are boys.

[00:31:37]And that for me, I felt that was a really bold move by young men. You know, the fact that they can feel the pain that these girls are going through. It is not enough to say, "Oh, I'm sorry for what" You see what you have said, Sarah, my dear.

[00:31:53]When you said that, "Can he facilitate?"

[00:31:55]Daddy does not have to sit down and ask you, "Have your menses come?"

[00:32:00]But daddy, can you give your daughter money? Tell her, "I know you always have this every month. This is for that."

[00:32:07]Yes.

[00:32:08]Yeah, go and buy the one that suits you.

[00:32:10]You know, the best part about fathers, they will not give you 50 shillings.

[00:32:17]Fathers will give you 500 shillings.

[00:32:19]Which is Which is a lot more.

[00:32:22]>> [laughter] >> So So, there is no harm in engaging the men in our lives. Yes.

[00:32:31]>> Are we the problem?

[00:32:33]Since you are a man, you are the issue. Because of the problem, why is the problem continuing every day?

[00:32:39]I am the problem?

[00:32:42]>> No, you're not the problem.

[00:32:44]>> [laughter] >> Uh society is the problem. Society is the problem. You see, >> can be a a problem as well.

[00:32:50]>> What was I saying?

[00:32:51]>> No, no.

[00:32:51]>> Some of them doesn't provide.

[00:32:53]>> No, society is the problem because even amongst our leaders, for example, are there no allocations for sanitary towels in schools?

[00:33:03]They are there, but is government even channeling enough resources towards that?

[00:33:10]Because you will find yeah, there's a fund there's a fund for that, but was channel on a period sanitary maybe once in a a term.

[00:33:18]Something that we face every month. And and and girls have different flows.

[00:33:29]Give her three packs, for example, but he could do we we we we behave as if it is uh you know, we use it even for political gain, especially those who are in charge of that.

[00:33:39]That it now alien that it is your responsibility, but when I end up when I pay and you say "You never pay and not see that you could have said it again." What is that mileage for?

[00:33:55]It's your duty.

[00:34:03]Uh it's not.

[00:34:06]Mhm. Coming and donating money, taking their pocket money to go and buy sanitary towels to help children.

[00:34:25]>> [laughter] >> Uh when we talk about the ministry of health, why do we always talk about sanitary towels?

[00:34:35]Because as a It's a za It could be that I could get you. You have to tell me the same thing.

[00:34:53]But as you see, I see we are focusing on sanitary towels.

[00:34:56]You have to pay my phone so maybe for school or was it now? What comes first?

[00:35:03]>> Important.

[00:35:04]>> What?

[00:35:05]>> Some of us, me and Dr. Maggie, for example, we've done this thing for the last more than 10 years.

[00:35:11]>> 10 years, yeah.

[00:35:11]>> When we choose to go to a school, we might not be having those sanitary towels to to to give the whole school.

[00:35:18]>> Yes.

[00:35:19]>> But the most important thing that we do, even today now, is education and creating awareness and trying to eliminate stigma.

[00:35:28]>> Mhm.

[00:35:29]>> Before even the sanitary pads come or politics come, the first thing we do is to create awareness. It is before politics.

[00:35:37]>> Yeah.

[00:35:37]>> We we we have to create awareness.

[00:35:39]>> Mhm.

[00:35:40]>> Before giving those pads, we have to create awareness. We have to talk to the girls. We have to talk to the men and women. And that is why it is important for That is why we are always at the grassroots level doing this.

[00:35:51]>> Because ours is to give information >> Mhm.

[00:35:54]>> to these young girls on how they are supposed to behave when they get this.

[00:35:58]So, by the time even my own girl, who is 7 years old, she already knows about this.

[00:36:02]>> About this.

[00:36:03]>> She knows that by the time I am I see this or I am this, this is what I'm supposed to do. And that is very important.

[00:36:11]>> Yes.

[00:36:12]>> Thank you very much, Dr. >> Magdalena and Dr. Roselina >> because I have my own experience.

[00:36:23]>> Mhm.

[00:36:23]>> I can't say I told I shared with the Brighton after I saw you posted and you you shared yours. And then you You can call me Charlene. No.

[00:36:47]>> Form three.

[00:36:48]>> Yeah, form three. Form three.

[00:36:49]>> [laughter] >> So.

[00:37:02]So, I didn't know about that. No.

[00:37:14]Academic teacher, Mr. You know him. Mr. >> [laughter] >> Are you serious? Is this your first time?

[00:37:34]So.

[00:37:38]Charlene.

[00:37:40]You know what I'm saying.

[00:37:42]After Charlene.

[00:37:49]So.

[00:37:55]You know what I'm saying. It's normal.

[00:38:03]I can see.

[00:38:06]Still to the challenge. As much as we amplify this, we talk about it all the time. We go to schools. You know what I'm saying. You know what I'm saying.

[00:38:14]But still, there is a gap.

[00:38:17]Some girls still are missing schools due to these sanitary towels products.

[00:38:23]And there still there is existing programs as you do. Why then do we have again some girls missing classes, missing schools for a week?

[00:38:40]Why are we having still girls missing schools, Dr. Ruslin?

[00:38:50]>> Uh Sarah, before you walk in these shoes of poverty, you might not know what the other girls are undergoing, what those people in the community are undergoing.

[00:39:01]Before you remove those shoes, you would tumble in a warm hour, you would go and listen to what the children are doing, you would know what is going on.

[00:39:11]Well, well, Let me I am mighty They might not be having money.

[00:39:34]As we speak right now, So, poverty is the number one issue.

[00:39:53]And when you are talking about the way how uh they can help these people, it is because once they've been elected as leaders, they are going to cherry by the My water water moving the way they wanted, they might forget about these people.

[00:40:20]And if you don't even stay with them you might not know.

[00:40:28]Or you know nabado >> [clears throat] >> the water personalities chingao chingao.

[00:40:39]To me as Roseline, >> [clears throat] >> I've been in the community, I have worked with these women and these girls and I see the challenges they have and the number one issue is poverty. And the many of these get pregnancies.

[00:40:58]And again they are bad.

[00:41:00]So they just No, I'm not I'm I'm giving an example because water water people, these are the people who access money daily.

[00:41:15]I don't know but they tell you know you have not helped.

[00:41:23]And somehow you know after menses ovulation. During ovulation. During ovulation that is also another time when women feel like when I take a man home somehow.

[00:41:45]You know what I tell you that he is very handsome and he get this pregnant very easy.

[00:41:49]Yeah.

[00:41:50]So the number one issue we have in our community before we even talk about Amazon more is poverty.

[00:41:57]>> But Zara said we have existing programs.

[00:42:04]>> I agree there is poverty.

[00:42:08]I also agree that we have policy within government and there are existing programs and we are all asking because if you look at um >> [snorts] >> those institutions tasked to do this do they have records of the number of sanitary towels that have been uh produced and uh sent to different uh schools is there a record of the head teachers receiving them?

[00:42:41]After that, how do they reach the children?

[00:42:45]Could it be a certain um breakdown in between?

[00:42:51]For example maybe they have even um delivered to schools and then uh maybe the the principal the head teacher maybe does not give them to the girls as in as expected.

[00:43:05]Or maybe favoring other girls over others.

[00:43:09]You know we are not the same. Even in those schools in the remotest part of our country, children are still not the same. There's a child who will come from a mud house and there is another child who will come from a house that is what?

[00:43:22]Stone house.

[00:43:23]So if I go with equality in such a situation, I am I am being unfair to one.

[00:43:30]Maybe we need to look into the equitable distribution of these uh sanitary towels. It is not a must that they go to all the schools equally.

[00:43:38]That we we we >> [clears throat] >> we sent uh 500 cartons of sanitary towels to all schools equally.

[00:43:46]If we did that then, are these schools having children of the same level?

[00:43:52]So that you say when you give 10 to each you've done the right thing. Maybe we need to look into the backgrounds of some of these children and ensure that they have a full flow of the same.

[00:44:03]versus those ones who come from a fairly able background who can still afford from home. Yeah, so these are some of the things we need to look into, yes.

[00:44:11]>> I see and I totally agree with you >> Dr. Magdalene.

[00:44:19]Out of selfish interest, yeah, what to they handle us.

[00:44:27]When you have me to do with what to do, but not to work at home come at that too, I keep it.

[00:44:32]Then the rest what to do.

[00:44:37]>> [laughter] >> No, no, no, no, >> [laughter] >> even men Even men you will keep it for your sisters daughters. So, Dr. Roseline before you come in, allow me. Um, you mentioned something about poverty. Yes, we agree.

[00:45:04]But now we cannot speak of poverty, poverty, poverty when we do election every now and again and our leaders, especially you you are now incoming. You promise us that But at the end of the day, we are still singing poverty here as among a menstrual hygiene. What is supposed to be done to end this poverty, I mean menstrual poverty as leaders?

[00:45:36]Yeah.

[00:45:40]>> I am just the incoming.

[00:45:41]>> Yes, yes.

[00:45:42]>> And I want to My opinion, you know, my the opinion I have not I'm not going to talk about to criticize anyone.

[00:45:51]I'm going to talk about me.

[00:45:54]I'm going to talk I've been in the community even without being in politics.

[00:46:04]silent call and then I will call and then I will call and then I will call and then I will call and then I've been assisting where I can as a person. That is why I'm very confident that I will not be like those others.

[00:46:15]That is why I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Because I know I'm going to be different. Because I have first-hand information.

[00:46:28]And I have been there, done this. Only that I want to do more.

[00:46:37]doing this.

[00:46:41]Yes, Brighton.

[00:46:56]For me, it is you need to trust.

[00:47:08]Maybe those other people have not done anything. I'm telling you some people come to politics for other issues.

[00:47:18]Whatever it is. For me, I'm coming to do more. I've been doing, I want to do more.

[00:47:24]Yes.

[00:47:25]>> Dr. Roselyn Nyakona.

[00:47:28]Dr. Nyakona, if poverty is the main issue, how can we eradicate it to make sure our girls are safe and cared for?

[00:47:40]>> Empowering our young men and women, even empowering the communities.

[00:47:47]If an empowered community is not the same as The other day, I did an interview with the Radio Bonna.

[00:47:54]And then there was a youth who said, "I'm very comfortable to be given 1 1,000 shillings because because of poverty, because I need that 1,000. But then I ask do you kijana wewe 1,000 then you go abusing someone online.

[00:48:12]Then what what next? Because your pastor it is Asia maybe the same day.

[00:48:23]What about tomorrow?

[00:48:25]But the only advice that I'm giving these young people out there including our women who are up there.

[00:48:31]You need to hold your your leaders accountable.

[00:48:38]1,000 will be calm You need to to tell them no. Give me Come on and I can eat okay for a company and then go eat come I need you to empower me. Niko na group up there it is registered. We are doing ABCD. Maybe it's a young solidarity foundation.

[00:49:02]Create awareness for our mama nini nini.

[00:49:05]So can you please give us some money so that we can continue to do more.

[00:49:11]Give us some money so that we buy this machine and continue with this business.

[00:49:15]Now the problem is nizo the handouts that we are getting. The mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror then we forget about that. Then we go singing about Roselyn your cash >> But really that's a challenge.

[00:49:33]But with correct leaders as you We hope But what you've done we have seen it.

[00:49:44]These programs you have them a lot of them. And that's why you are even confident.

[00:49:51]>> Okay.

[00:49:52]>> Before we end >> Allow me Allow me ask madam >> Allow me ask Madam Magdalene one question.

[00:49:58]So that I [laughter] I No no no.

[00:50:02]No no.

[00:50:05]>> [laughter] >> Hello boy Okay.

[00:50:12]No, it's okay. Boy child, go ahead.

[00:50:17]All right.

[00:50:19]>> How affordable is this Santa towels?

[00:50:23]Zero rated.

[00:50:24]And then we have around uh 40 40 47 Mhm.

[00:50:45]Mhm.

[00:50:47]Mhm.

[00:50:49]Mhm.

[00:50:52]Mhm.

[00:50:53]Mhm.

[00:50:56]Mhm.

[00:50:59]Mhm.

[00:51:05]>> Only a country can rule the whole world.

[00:51:08]>> Yes.

[00:51:08]>> It brought a very good policies.

[00:51:10]>> Okay.

[00:51:11]>> It's Kenya.

[00:51:11]>> Mhm.

[00:51:12]>> The problem is us.

[00:51:14]The implementation implementation But now our people don't do Now it is the implementation that is the problem.

[00:51:25]>> Okay.

[00:51:26]>> You you answering his question, let me add. I think Nigeria really now is going >> Oh.

[00:51:31]>> uh that That is what I was asking.

[00:51:46]You don't have to channel to what it is so you just talk it the way it is. you can pick.

[00:51:51]>> [laughter] >> Are they affordable?

[00:52:07]You know, we should.

[00:52:09]Uh the boxes where a girl can because it's not food.

[00:52:14]It I don't need 20 if I I if I I can work with only seven.

[00:52:19]I will take my seven and the rest will serve another person.

[00:52:23]Yeah, if seven I mean what do you do with those pads? You think we enjoy this period?

[00:52:27]We don't enjoy. In fact, if there's anything any woman would would postpone it is that. That is why even in the pharmacies kuna dawa.

[00:52:35]You find these people like athletes when they have a competition coming. At at a maze you down to postpone it and it has consequences the medics can tell us.

[00:52:45]So, it is not some it is not something anybody enjoys. And some and and also just to enlighten the public.

[00:52:51]Sometimes even when we go distribute we used to distribute sanitary towels to go and at school.

[00:52:57]Which go distribute towels.

[00:53:04]At what about the boy child? Look at Look at this.

[00:53:07]So, then you ask, what is ever comparable to to menses? So, that you can say menses for girl child is equal to this for boy child.

[00:53:20]And there is a period people used to say at a condoms in comparison to this. But condom you don't use alone also. You're still going to use it on a girl.

[00:53:29]So, there is nothing comparable.

[00:53:32]It is not comparable. So, I wish if there's anything government could ever do and Mheshimiwa is here. If you go in there.

[00:53:41]>> Yes, please. It is not even enough to say we have reduced VAT we have said zero VAT on sanitary towels.

[00:53:49]It is it is better to even come up with sanitary towels are free.

[00:53:53]>> Free free you walk in a supermarket >> Free and you pick.

[00:53:56]>> Not even supermarket free in schools.

[00:53:58]Supermarket ni mwenye at afford.

[00:54:01]But essential equal essential in schools.

[00:54:05]>> Free as as ugali.

[00:54:07]>> But then before even we talk about and good quality.

[00:54:09]>> Sanitary pads, eh?

[00:54:12]Uh just yesterday just just yesterday but one to be on gear and I want to have a young girl.

[00:54:19]He told me one of the schools has been closed.

[00:54:25]We in the middle of a time or something.

[00:54:31]I have I think it's the toilets are full.

[00:54:34]Even the boys. Even when the girls shower the the the doors are open. Then there are no doors.

[00:54:45]Yani such challenges even before we talk about sanitary pads, eh? People should look at this girl in total. Yani angalia msichana na mwana for example. What does this girl need?

[00:54:57]So even those public schools where we have our leaders by the total.

[00:55:13]How are the doors because if it's a mixed school a door is open like that. You know someone can easily rush in and even rape that girl.

[00:55:24]And how are the toilets? One on baby.

[00:55:31]So they should look at the at the the whole something in as much as we are trying to create awareness, let us also look at the our schools, our homes, the sanitary sanitation part of it. How are the schools? Where do they dispose Even those schools we are talking about So, where will these girls dispose them?

[00:55:56]So, before we have a condom there, we need to have a a nice clean uh bathroom or toilet that has those sanitary pads first before you put a condom.

[00:56:18]>> Because principles going to be as a minister of of one of the institutions here.

[00:56:39]I So, I don't >> Yeah.

[00:57:05]Mhm.

[00:57:09]Mhm.

[00:57:14]Mhm.

[00:57:15]Yeah.

[00:57:18]Yeah. When we started this conversation, Mheshimiwa alisema we have come from so far.

[00:57:22]Uh the rate of girls dropping out or girls missing school for reasons of lacking sanitary towels, it is it is no longer the excuse. Even if there is it is in very few schools because it is true the distribution and just as you have said now it goes down to leadership. At the ground level.

[00:57:43]That is the head teacher able to and you know some of these schools even on top of what the government is giving there are organizations that come there are a few other schools that get donations and even those schools the principals and teachers when they feel the need they will still reach out to people. You you will be called by a deputy or a teacher in a school telling you please we are short of this could you help?

[00:58:05]So there are other reasons.

[00:58:08]Truth is there are many other reasons why girls are not going to school.

[00:58:12]Many other reasons and some of those reasons could be even family matters.

[00:58:16]Some of those reasons could be adolescence and peer pressure. Some of them could be poverty as we have said here. So we must not only give excuse for that and then just to also say another reason would be the endometriosis bit.

[00:58:29]The painful menses can prevent you even from going to work and that is why worldwide there is that acknowledgement that women need leave during that period. You saw Nairobi county passed the menstrual hygiene leave.

[00:58:44]And there were reactions both positive and negative in regard to that.

[00:58:52]Manager get ready.

[00:58:58]You know I got to keep please give me my three days.

[00:59:01]I I I can not come to work because of my menses. Will your manager give you those three days?

[00:59:09]Even if there is no law within the county for example or within not even the county within humanitarian on humanitarian ground because that is now what we we need to ask.

[00:59:21]>> Starting from Brighton.

[00:59:23]>> Brighton yes.

[00:59:28]Even me I want 3 days.

[00:59:31]>> [laughter] >> Yes.

[00:59:43]You can look into it. I like that response.

[00:59:48]>> [laughter] >> Yes, I will I will read the SMS as you transit.

[01:00:51]>> [laughter] >> Thank you, Dr. Roselyn Nyakona. David, our Kisii County incoming women rep for insightful discussion. We are supporting you.

[01:01:13]>> [laughter] >> Kisii County women rep, thank you so much, Mom, for watching. Asante sana.

[01:01:18]Now, let me translate this lady. Uh Murungi says, "No, even men check it to their relatives.

[01:01:28]Uh Teresa kata. Uh Samson Gitana Uh thank you so much. Um Uh Enoch Flames is a bookie. I don't know proud to see Dr. Magdalene Gesare and our in our honorable Dr. Roselinda Kona David our incoming Kissi women rep 2027 on your station advocating for menstrual hygiene awareness. This is the kind of leadership and conversation of our society needs. Keep Keep it up. Keep it up.

[01:02:06]Uh Mama Ruth say thank you for the information from Mama Viria watching live Mama Africa. Say hi to to Dr. Roselinda and Dr. Magdalene. Nico Mama Heidi Mwisho. Uh Samson Gitana a lot of young men in our community think that discussing menstrual makes them less of a man or that it is strictly a woman issue.

[01:02:28]You know women are not going to you know women are not going to do that.

[01:02:32]On this international menstrual hygiene day, our boys need to understand that period stigma is a human right crisis.

[01:02:41]Teasing school girls or making shameful jokes about a natural biological process doesn't make you look tough. It shows ignorance. Real manhood is about building a hashtag period friendly world where your sisters, classmates, and partners can live with with dignity, not shame.

[01:03:05]>> [laughter] >> I don't know menstrual is natural and it needs to be embraced by everybody. It has to be embraced by everybody. Morning team Kubwa, say hi to Dr. Roselyn and Dr. Magdalene. Menstrual hygiene is a challenge for our young girls and some adults. And as we parents, let us try to encourage them and show how hygiene is done.

[01:03:57]Magdalene Magangi and Dr. Roselyn Nyakona, karibu sana. And then yeah, studio. Asante sana. Now we still have another 40 years of this. Keep on sending your feedback through 0735 333000 Tire TV also send to my Facebook and my Google YouTube.

[01:04:36]Magdalene Magangi to cover Dr. Roselyn Nyakona David incoming women rep Kisii County 2027 discussing matters about menstrual hygiene Jason Yakundi 7629 a unit in some of my YouTube I want to have Dr. Roselyn has been doing this for a long time. By that, I mean she has been giving out sanitary pads to the community. I know if she could get a chance as a women rep, she will provide more and educate more.

[01:05:13]>> Asante sana, Veronica Makoli.

[01:05:15]>> I would have had this is a very nice conversation. Keep it up, Dr. Roselyn and Dr. Magdalene.

[01:05:21]Uh Fauzia 254 and I say my glad to see Dr. Meg and incoming women rep advocating for menstrual hygiene.

[01:05:35]>> [laughter] >> Okay.

[01:05:39]But they are glad to see you.

[01:05:40]>> Yeah. I think we going to engage our >> audience kidogo.

[01:05:55]Keep tweeting.

[01:06:00]30 Facebook and 30 YouTube.

[01:06:10]You know, day for menstrual hygiene.

[01:06:17]>> Yani tukolia >> [laughter] >> I don't know maybe the weather we can do randomly or not.

[01:06:30]>> Yeah, it's random. Somebody you want to say something, our panelist, you raise your hand.

[01:06:35]>> We start with madam. So, I didn't pay Mike >> Yeah.

[01:06:40]>> What do you think, producer?

[01:06:41]>> Yeah.

[01:06:42]>> What? Okay.

[01:06:43]>> Patiana >> I just want to pay Mike. So, to that I'm not going to kill you.

[01:06:51]You don't have to allow me.

[01:06:55]Yeah.

[01:06:55]>> Yes, you you welcome. You say your name, where you coming from Changi amjadala kama swali kwa wageni wetu. Please go ahead.

[01:07:05]>> It's the studios of Haya TV and doctor the doctors available. I want to comment for the great work that you're doing here in Kisi.

[01:07:17]Uh because I believe this is something that as a community we need to come up together to fight period poverty. And on such a day when we are remembering or we were celebrating how far we've come from uh when it concerns menstruation uh they've been speaking about pertinent issues and I just want to add on. So just before that I want to introduce myself as well so that other people listening can know. So my name is Phyllis and I've come from Kudjo. It's an organization Stroke Hands of Grace from Nairobi.

[01:07:52]Uh we are embarking on fighting period poverty through giving education, creating awareness, and also distributing the product. And uh for us at Kudjo we are looking at sustainable products. When I speak about sustainable, it is having products on board that can support a woman for more than 1 2 3 4 5 to 10 years. And uh uh for us we are focusing on distributing the menstrual cups uh because we feel it's a sustainable product which cuts across. It's financially stable, it cuts across the health as well, and also the environment. Because by the end of the day the woman has to face this good environment. But if you're using mostly the uh the products that are going to affect our environment, here is also something that needs to raise alarm. Um on our platforms we don't want to say this is a bad product, this is a good one because we want to create awareness.

[01:08:54]We cannot end period poverty without creating the awareness. And we see awareness is access to the right information, access to the products, and access to the facilities when a girl or a woman is in their period. So, we want to look at we cut across all the products, we provide the information, how can you access them, and then also this helps the woman or a girl to make a decision on what suits their body. What is best for them? So, and it's just sad that sometimes on some platforms where we go and when you're talking about a menstrual cup and people are like, "Huh, how do I insert? How do I How can I even act?" And then they say washing the the menstrual fluid is dirty. So, how are we going to end period poverty and the stigma if ourselves women we're saying, "Oh, our periods are dirty."

[01:09:47]How? We cannot normalize the talks and the stigma if we are not embracing ourselves as women and love what we go through. Yes, I know it's something hard sometimes as doctor was talking about endometriosis, it's painful, but then you know what I can see you see you need to love yourself, accept it's a natural thing, love it, and you go through it comfortably. So, the menstrual cup is something that can any woman and even a girl can use because it takes about 10 years. Yeah, shelf life.

[01:10:20]So, it needs just sensitization. So, we teach the girls how to use it, how do you clean it, how do you ensure safety, how do you ensure that it's the right position, and also answer the questions surrounding taboos, and so many questions around there.

[01:10:37]>> Go on or before you pass the microphone to another student, do you think since the introduction of this cup thing it may be embraced because what you may say the sanitary towels are quite and other brands. Actually, one has to say cups for the first time.

[01:10:59]So, you think You will make a finish what you could do to show so that they can be embraced everywhere because I think I don't want to embrace unless you want to make a party you will do me.

[01:11:15]Since we are 5 years now specializing in the menstrual cup. Now, what we have done is we do not give out Yeah, I have it.

[01:11:25]I have it.

[01:11:27]So, we have not done anything without education.

[01:11:33]This is the cup I'm talking about. It's something so small. I You can feel it.

[01:11:38]>> [laughter] >> Yeah, so that is the cup. And since it's something a woman is going to use It is enough for you.

[01:11:48]>> [laughter] >> It is enough for you actually cuz that takes about 30 mils.

[01:11:54]Uh depends on your flow, it can take if your flow is not heavy, it takes about 12 hours.

[01:12:01]Yeah, and if it's so heavy, you can change in intervals of two two times within the day.

[01:12:07]So, between 4 hours, 6 hours or 8 hours.

[01:12:11]And so, when you're working with the menstrual cup, it helps you to understand your body.

[01:12:16]Know how heavy you flow. You can actually tell how comfy you are during your period.

[01:12:24]No, it isn't.

[01:12:26]It isn't, but the flow is never too much.

[01:12:32]>> Is that a drop?

[01:12:35]>> You know our ordinary pads actually exaggerate the thing.

[01:12:40]Yeah, because it's absorbing. And so, once it's absorbing you can get in a few This is too much.

[01:12:48]But then, this is going to is going to help you if you can feel that menstrual cup in 2 hours, then we we now we can acknowledge that you're not okay. You need to seek medical attention.

[01:13:01]Yeah.

[01:13:04]You you can just let me have it so I can help.

[01:13:09]Now it it is contaminated now.

[01:13:12]Sorry.

[01:13:14]>> [laughter] >> So, one thing I like about the cup, it helps you understand your body.

[01:13:22]So, we've had some girls or women say we are overflowing and yet it's not true because just the the pad is exaggerating, absorbing. And then the cup is collecting and you pour.

[01:13:33]So, there are three ways you can fold to have it inserted. Kuna what we call the C fold.

[01:13:43]C.

[01:13:46]C. So, why are we folding? So, that you can have a point for insertion.

[01:13:52]And then you will just uh swiftly. Please don't fight with your body. This is your body. It all starts with a mind.

[01:14:00]Relax and you will have it inserted. And we all know if you don't know we when you're standing like this you may think your your your your vagina is possibly straight. It's not straight.

[01:14:12]It's tilted behind the back. So, when you're inserting if you don't want to get any challenges, you you tilt it kidogo and then you can push it and it will get in.

[01:14:23]Yes, all of it and it will open.

[01:14:25]And so your vagina wall will hold it tight. And so once it opens, it is collecting.

[01:14:32]The only time you will see I like you're staining unless it did not open well kuna space here.

[01:14:39]Yes, but it opens clearly like this and it will collect.

[01:14:43]If you can feel this in 2 hours, hey, seek medical attention. Just Just go to your gynecologist because ideally >> 2 hours.

[01:14:51]>> Yes, ideally you cannot feel this cup in 2 hours. It's between 6 hours and 8 hours. Yeah.

[01:14:57]>> So, that thing cannot affect my my structure because Okay.

[01:15:04]>> Okay.

[01:15:06]>> [laughter] >> Yeah.

[01:15:09]>> We know that we are elastic, right?

[01:15:12]>> Yes, we are elastic.

[01:15:14]>> [laughter] >> And so, it will fit according to your size.

[01:15:19]Yes.

[01:15:20]Exactly. She can explain that more.

[01:15:23]>> Thank you so much, Pili.

[01:15:25]>> [laughter] >> Thank you. Thank you so much.

[01:15:30]Uh who is that? All right.

[01:15:33]>> Yes.

[01:15:33]>> You shout your names, where are you from, what are you doing, and you comment on the discussion.

[01:15:39]>> Okay.

[01:15:40]Well, thank you so much. My name is Daisy Hassani. I'm a fifth-year medical student. As well, I'm a founder for Poison Papas Kenya. This is an organization that deals with young women in leadership and governance. And I am loving this discussion in particular today, and I'm privileged to have had an experience with this menstrual cup, and I want to attest that it is made from silicone if I'm not if I'm not wrong.

[01:16:07]And when you look at the muscles of the pelvic floor and the vaginal wall, they can adjust. So, it's not something that should scare anyone to use. Your body Your body is your friend in essence. As she said, it starts in your mind. Yeah.

[01:16:23]And and I think it's really sustainable cuz when you think about like sanitary products, once you're done using them, you have to dispose them into the environment. Most of them do not decompose. We end up filling toilets and all that, and I don't think this would would do that. But with that being said, I I think what I wanted to mention in particular as a person is the question of period poverty in Kenya. I was looking at some of the statistics. About 9.3 million of our our Kenyan women are of the reproductive age. That is girls and young women. And out of these 65% of them live in period poverty.

[01:17:04]And this is something that we must talk about. And I liked that we brought up the question of male involvement. The fact that we live in a deep deeply patriarchal society. And in a patriarchal society, most of our providers in our homes, they are males.

[01:17:21]Uh probably the woman is not working, but the man is working. He only has 200 shillings at the end of the day. If they do not understand the gravity of menstruation, then it will not be used to buy sanitary towels for the for the wife and even the children. So that is why I think we need to have more of them on board. And even when we go to schools, I think uh we've made it um we've made it a norm that when we go to schools to primary schools to talk to uh the children, we separate. We separate the boys and the girls. And what this does it it reinforces the stigma. It reinforces the stigma especially for for the boy children, they they feel like this is not our conversation. We do not have to be a part of it. So I'm I'm just here to say that all of us who are in the advocacy field, all of us who are, you know, going to schools to talk Let let us talk to them together. Because the more we talk in whispers, it's the more we reinforce period poverty. And the question of missing school.

[01:17:45]I You know, I am so passionate about women's issues that I don't know whether we understand how, you know, deep it is.

[01:17:54]When a girl menstruates for like Okay, normally they it should take about three to five days. So when it takes about three to five days, for someone who does not have >> about 3 to 5 days. So, when it takes about 3 to 5 days for someone who does not have access to menstrual products, that is 5 * 12 12 months. Those are 60 days. These are 2 months of missing school. I don't know. And we are trying to fight exactly and we are trying to fight equality for equality. And one of the ways we are going to get equality is through education. So, imagine someone missing school for 2 months.

[01:19:03]>> What did you say your name is?

[01:19:04]>> Finidis Shavier.

[01:19:05]>> All right.

[01:19:06]>> Yes.

[01:19:08]>> Okay.

[01:19:12]>> Who wants to ask >> The Egerton, yeah.

[01:19:15]>> Yes.

[01:19:18]Your name, please, ma'am?

[01:19:19]>> Oh, hello, everyone. I'm Rachel Maya.

[01:19:23]I'm a master student. I'm Dr. Magdalene's student at Egerton University.

[01:19:29]And Anne is also the founder of the Green Embassy Kenya. It's an NGO focusing on climate action, environmental sustainability, while including the gender aspect. So, mine is just to point out on the on the embracing sustainability of the, you know, menstrual products. And now that you are in Kisii, I've been inspired by one work of Lennox Omondi.

[01:19:53]Lennox is the founder of EcoBana EcoBana products. I'm just inspired of what he's doing and how far he has come. And now on on that, I would like to encourage Mheshimiwa when you get to this role, I'm sure that you're going to do it. We see your passion. We see what you've been doing.

[01:20:11]And we are also following in your steps.

[01:20:13]Please encourage youth, you know, innovation, especially in issues of women and, you know, menstrual health.

[01:20:20]And also, if there's another thing you can embrace or in accessibility of menstrual products. We have things that are pad banks or, yeah, we can you can encourage pad banks in schools, in primary schools, in secondary schools, and you have maybe someone who makes sure that they're always filled so that we can fight this poverty, this I mean menstrual poverty together. So, I think if that is something that we can encourage. And also just to the general public, you know, mens- having menstruation is not something that's optional, it's biological. So, instead of having the I'm not saying that having the, you know, condom dispensers is not bad, but engaging in intercourse is is a choice that you make. But, having your menstrual period is not a choice that you make, it's something that exists.

[01:21:07]So, if you can have the pad banks along along with that, I think we're going to make a big stride in fighting menstrual poverty.

[01:21:16]>> Madam, let us go to boy child.

[01:21:19]>> But, where are you?

[01:21:20]>> Give me this one.

[01:21:23]>> All of them will speak.

[01:21:25]>> You can stand, yeah? Thank you so much, girl child, for your feedback, for your comments. Very positive one.

[01:21:43]We are saying enough is enough. Nobody should miss school, nobody should go through what we are going through. Yes, please.

[01:21:50]>> Actually, for this opportunity, for those who are watching, I'm Obando Tyson, founder, Young Solidarity Foundation, that has been on the forefront planning for International Menstrual Hygiene for Kisii County. First of all, vote of thanks to Mheshimiwa Roselyn Nyakona for holding our hands. Secondly, to Dr. Magdalene Gesare. Then thirdly, to our viewers. And then maybe you are asking yourself, "Oh, Tyson, why are you in the panelist of menstrual hygiene?"

[01:22:19]My question back to you is that modern dynamic world means that men should support >> Exactly.

[01:22:27]>> women and girls. Women should also support men.

[01:22:32]So, we are standing in solidarity to ensure that today's society feels safe to girls and also feels safe to our mamas back at home. So, to wind it up, welcome to Kericho girls for International Menstrual Hygiene Day.

[01:22:51]Thank you so much.

[01:22:58]>> Okay.

[01:23:02]Thank you for this opportunity. I'm Biden Omoka.

[01:23:05]I'm here with the leader of Tyson.

[01:23:09]And I don't know much about menstrual period, but I'd like to raise a concern.

[01:23:16]It's okay that she'd said that yeah, we need to bring both boys and girls together when doing the talk.

[01:23:23]But don't you think some of these girls, ex- especially those young ones, some of them might undergoing some personal problems, maybe traumas since they were little kids. Don't you think that there's a way you can find that you talk to them individually, so they can share their personal issues?

[01:23:42]And to another issue, so our providers, the dads, sometimes they tend to leave their daughters, especially when they reach campus, you find the situation whereby when a girl reaches like third year there, they're left to fend for themselves. So, they end up doing some things, some shady things here and there, baba and all that.

[01:24:04]Is there a way that also the fathers can be open-minded and try to deal with their kids equally?

[01:24:12]Yeah. Thank you.

[01:24:15]>> Yeah. Thank you. Thank you so much.

[01:24:20]Yeah, that one then new. Yeah, please.

[01:24:22]Yeah.

[01:24:24]>> Okay, thank you for this opportunity. My name is Sharon Waiwa, a clinical medicine from Kisii University.

[01:24:31]I am Solidarity Foundation member. And what I can say first, this goes to both boys and girls. First, we have to accept that girls at certain point of age undergo some changes. And one of them is that some will start having menses at different points of uh their age of their ages. And what I can add apart from the availability of the pads is that we focus on the hygiene part, that they should bathe at least once in a day, most of our young ones.

[01:25:08]And also, what I can say to them is that to focus mostly to use the breathable pads.

[01:25:16]>> Yeah. Thank you. How How was your experience when you first saw this thing?

[01:25:20]>> Okay, but I think my experience was weird because first I joined high school while I was still not having my menses.

[01:25:30]And I found it's almost everyone is having Now it's menstruating. It's not only me now.

[01:25:39]So, uh form one you take a picture but I don't see only menses.

[01:25:48]I can call her worried. I can show you the whole class. You can only see everyone is having menses. Only me too.

[01:25:57]I can say maybe this holiday I will go and tell my mom.

[01:26:02]I can say I can just I do I do have a friend who can give me a depend.

[01:26:07]I can give you a depend. Then back to school I am form two. You call me.

[01:26:11]I can call one of my counselors or teachers now. I can call you now.

[01:26:17]I don't know who can give me a depend.

[01:26:18]It's like I don't know who can give me a depend.

[01:26:19]>> And they are of my age. Me and my brother are the same Sometimes it doesn't delay.

[01:26:32]>> [laughter] >> I can I was so worried.

[01:26:36]She was getting ready to go to school. I told my mom mom I have pads that my dad bought me when I was in form one. I didn't join form one.

[01:26:45]They are still intact. Yeah, my my my dad and I went to the Yeah, my dad bought me pads and I didn't even open them. I didn't open one. She told me are you sure?

[01:26:56]I told her try this this I don't know what they are called tampons. Try this tampon.

[01:27:02]If it doesn't work you will come and tell me. Then I went back to school and it wasn't even two weeks and I got my period.

[01:27:08]It came back. But the funny thing is I was aware. I was always with pads in my bag. I was always with pads. In my bag because I needed to get my period. Like I really wanted to get my period. I really wanted to get my Yes.

[01:27:23]I was so happy because by that time I had already So when they gave you a period you were happy. Very happy.

[01:27:36]>> [laughter] >> Thank you so much. Yes mommy.

[01:27:40]Just sit. You can sit. Just sit.

[01:27:49]My name is Shigoli Valerie. I am a student at Egerton. A member at Green Embassy Kenya and a member at Chitchat with Madam Meg and we always say Chitchat the talk is never cheap. My my message to the public and even us who are here is it is 2026.

[01:28:10]Surely talking about period poverty is insane at such a time when we have technology. To connect easy information come out parts we know reusable pads come out usable pads we know they are cups come out cups we know there are so many tampons so many alternatives we know that there is AI there is technology there is phones we need to use this infrastructure or this technology to be able to help our community. We are saying there are some girls in a rural place that don't have pads. Can we be able to have apps that are able to show us this area they have pads this area they don't have pads. If they can't get pads then at least let us give them reusable pads.

[01:28:56]Let's give them cups. Let's use this data let's not give this information to some set of people alone. We have so much information as a society as a community that we are just withholding.

[01:29:07]When we can we can solve this problem in one month. I can I'm very sure that if we decide today as a as a society we're going to end period poverty with all the infrastructure that we have and the data and the and the technology this issue will be ending in a year. It is surely a thing that can end in a year. However, we sit on this information we don't show it on on television we don't air it out we don't even have programs saying okay today we're going to end everything we're going to talk about periods the different types of um products that are there what girls can use and and this issue can end in just a year. But we are sitting on it in 2026 when we are looking forward to 2030 yes we are looking forward yes to even ask ourselves we need to take that upon ourselves and say this is the year now we say an end to period poverty.

[01:29:59]That is my message to the society. Thank you.

[01:30:02]Now allow us ask our our panelists then we call it a Our panelists then we call it a a day, but what I'm going to do is because you are our guests live in This goes to Madam um Ma- uh Madam Roslina.

[01:30:28]Uh to be able I want to know about the challenges Now as an uh when a doctor would like to risk health risks that are associated with poor menstrual hygiene.

[01:30:49]I don't know if you know how to do it because it needs to be clean and dry.

[01:30:55]There are diseases that can be if you don't follow the instructions very well when you are doing when you are having your >> Uh I'm already a narrow in as much in as much as uh I will say that uh menstrual hygiene is not only a health issue. It's both health and educational issue.

[01:31:18]So when we are talking about are talking human beings when a doctor would like to do it again We have a doctor who can do more. No more flora. No more bacteria.

[01:31:39]But once you there is some bit of disruption then it becomes an infection.

[01:31:45]So and they are everywhere.

[01:31:48]Those are the microorganisms that cause disease that are everywhere. So that is why it is important for us to teach on the educational part to teach our children on how they are supposed to handle the issues of hygiene.

[01:32:03]>> Talingana virus are we making some corner where we have you know the bacteria thrive very well where there is rich environment.

[01:32:14]In a place that is damp meaning meaning because they are everywhere. So they need to wash them, put them there.

[01:32:21]The way and you wash it. How to dispose them?

[01:32:28]Because if you don't do that then also it becomes an hazard or an you need to the to the other people and even yourself.

[01:32:36]So it is important that they are one of condition on how to like now we are going to some two schools and what we are going to focus on is strictly on hygiene.

[01:32:49]Because we already were talking about creating awareness and how to reduce stigma but if I tell you practically on how to wear this pad, on how to dispose it. And also if it's the kind of that we are talking about how they can remove them and clean them and put them to dry and use them or even the reusable pads or even the cups.

[01:33:18]>> We have we have six minutes.

[01:33:21]>> Then I I allow boys to come up to but our audience thank you very much for your positive feedback. Correct comments and the challenges to our leaders especially our leader here who is incoming and you could have your money or and we can come out we know we are only waiting for the time so that I find a mobile in a style.

[01:33:42]Yes. [laughter] Madam Magdalene there is a one of them who said stigma and he said taboo.

[01:33:53]Have the government done something to address this because we are saying it's a taboo at this time and a stigma at this time 2026. What is the government doing about it because this should be an initiative from the government down down downwards.

[01:34:10]What was stigmatized and all this?

[01:34:13]What's the government doing or has it done something to address that?

[01:34:18]>> We shouldn't start by asking government. We should We should look at When you talk about stigma, it's it's more of a community and a cultural and societal.

[01:34:29]So, it is upon us who are in the society to to tackle such.

[01:34:35]Sometimes we must not put blame on government with everything because even if government as you had, we have policies, we have laws. Implementation is the issue.

[01:34:45]Issues to do with stigma are more of community and sensitization.

[01:34:51]Creating awareness and informing people that this is this is not something that we are supposed to be dealing with in this day and age.

[01:35:00]>> is it should be our responsibility, but nothing has been achieved. So, that's why we asking if the the government can chip in through our leaders and educate us and something can happen.

[01:35:14]>> Nothing has been achieved. No.

[01:35:17]We shall be talking about a cup that is half full or half empty.

[01:35:22]Let us look at that cup of in in the sense that it is it is half full rather than half empty.

[01:35:28]There are strides that have been made.

[01:35:32]Towards even stigma. Sensitization is ongoing. The only challenge is it has not reached everybody.

[01:35:38]You see, if you ask any girl in Nairobi for example, how well informed they are about menstrual hygiene, they are so well informed. You know, Nairobi, there are so many programs that happen. Even us now that we are here anybody who's watching and they have children, they are getting it. So, what we need to look into is kufikisha mashinani.

[01:35:58]Now, for that to get mashinani, it can work through schools and institutions because schools are in mashinani. In every corner of the country, there is a school. There are teachers. Probably begin with the enlightening the society, then go to the teaching fraternity and everyone around them because every school has a guidance and counseling department. They have teachers in the schools. They have all other programs that they run. So, inviting health professionals who are also in in in the remotest part of the country to just go and and and share our knowledge should not be a very big issue. So, we we just need to reach the remotest part of our country. Otherwise, there are strides that have been made. Yes.

[01:36:40]>> We need to wind up because time we mentioned earlier.

[01:36:48]>> I began I said that I'm from Egerton University and I just to inform the audience that I came with the six five of my students from Egerton University. They are on with their masters in gender and development studies. So, they are here with us.

[01:37:09]From our vice chancellor, Professor Kibaaki, and the director of the Institute of Gender.

[01:37:16]She's called Dr. Chesikau.

[01:37:18]She is very happy with what we are doing and she she released her daughters and said, "Go out and share this." So, they can they Yes, they can. Yeah.

[01:37:28]>> Before we wind up There are international day for menstrual and hygiene.

[01:37:37]>> menstrual hygiene >> What What next? Utanyamaza.

[01:37:47]>> You see today >> What's next?

[01:37:53]>> I mean >> [laughter] >> Yes.

[01:37:53]>> I can go first.

[01:37:54]>> Yes, you can go.

[01:37:55]>> Conclude.

[01:37:56]>> Okay, so this is a day that is marked.

[01:37:58]And if in case you are wondering why on this day, 28th, women have different cycles. So there is 21, there is 28.

[01:38:08]So I settled on 28.

[01:38:10]It is It does not mean that this is the only day this activity will happen. And then the members from NGOs here, they know that every time they collect the sanitary towels, they are always on with the activity. But when we mark this day, it is just to create awareness and to sensitize those who did not know that there is such a day. And and globally, we have different days for different, you know, occasions and everything. So those are just days that are out there to remind the public in case people had forgotten to mark the strides that have been made to chart way forward and to probably address the challenges that people have faced. Yes.

[01:38:50]>> On my [clears throat] own, as an aspiring leader, um or the leader, what I can say is that no At this juncture, what we are just trying to do today is to create awareness. But for For now, my wish is that no girl, no woman should miss going to work or girl because they had menses.

[01:39:12]Our for me, I will only promise that if I am in office, um I I I've been doing this for some time, but I would like to do more. I would like to make sure that we create more awareness in the girls and also provide those sanitary pads so that they don't miss school.

[01:39:31]To want a comma how was it? They are They are having their periods with the dignity.

[01:39:36]So marking today is not just the end.

[01:39:39]It's For me, looks like We've been doing this for We've been doing this, but it looks like a beginning of good things ahead of us.

[01:39:49]So, we're not just finishing here, but we'll be doing more and even educating more >> Uh next year on 28th May, it will be on a Friday.

[01:40:00]Uh It will be on a Friday.

[01:40:07]>> A Friday, a day like this.

[01:40:08]>> A day on next year.

[01:40:10]>> Uh next year 2027. Okay.

[01:40:12]>> We will be meeting for 3 months.

[01:40:14]>> She will be on a very serious campaign.

[01:40:17]>> So >> Yes.

[01:40:21]So that we can talk about the progress that we have made.

[01:40:25]Yes.

[01:40:25]>> I think next year So, I think >> I'm going to pass the microphone.

[01:40:44]What I just said my name like that. Yes.

[01:40:52]>> Good morning, everyone.

[01:40:53]>> Good morning.

[01:40:54]>> My name is Eunice Njeri. A bit of my experience, when I was just going to prepare the altar, I remember it was on a Sunday. It started. And through the background interpretation and some Christian teachings, I felt so unclean.

[01:41:08]I was afraid, ashamed, but now I understand about the menstrual hygiene.

[01:41:13]Thank you.

[01:41:14]>> Thank you so much.

[01:41:16]>> I'm from Egerton University and a member of Chit Chat with Dr. Meg.

[01:41:21]>> That's fine.

[01:41:26]>> Good morning.

[01:41:26]>> Good morning.

[01:41:27]>> My name is Nina Richard. As we mark this day, International Menstrual Hygiene Day, I would like to make a shout-out to the men and boys who are involved to the men and boys who are involved in making a period friendly world for the ladies. And to all who who have been here this day, I would also like to thank you because you are while doing this, you you're also campaigning for a period friendly world. Thank you for that.

[01:41:55]>> Thank you so much.

[01:41:56]>> I'm doing my masters in Egerton University in gender, women and development studies.

[01:42:01]>> Wow, that's nice.

[01:42:06]>> Hello everyone.

[01:42:08]I am My name is Fasika Kamadi, a master student at Egerton University and also a member of the Chit Chat with Dr. Meg. Uh I'm glad to be in this panel today. At least I've learned a lot. For my experience, it was quite smooth. I had an elderly sister who helped me from the start up to the end. Uh then I had a question concerning the cups. Can a virgin put on the cups?

[01:42:34]Thank you.

[01:42:35]>> All right.

[01:42:37]>> [laughter] >> That is a very good question.

[01:42:47]>> Yes, good morning everyone.

[01:42:50]Yes, mine is just to My name is Doreen Mora, uh one of the directors from Young Solidarity Foundation. And mine is just to give remarks on advocating on the issue about what steps can community [clears throat] leaders take to include men and boys in the conversation to help normalize periods and the end of stigma.

[01:43:11]I really thank Madam Dr. Roselyn Nyakona, Dr. Gesare, and the entire team for advocating and recognizing the boy child during this day of menstrual hygiene day. Thank you.

[01:43:22]>> Thank you so much.

[01:43:23]>> Okay.

[01:43:24]Uh I think it's a minute up.

[01:43:28]>> You were to answer that.

[01:43:30]Phyllis, answer the other question.

[01:43:33]>> Okay, thank you so much for the question. And when we are out there, we want to tackle those myths because it's a myth that the menstrual cup breaks virginity. And my medic will also expound on that because um virginity is broken through a sexual intercourse.

[01:43:52]And uh uh we can explain that uh for us, we have it in mind that having the hymen is virginity.

[01:44:03]Yet it's not true because the high hymen can be broken in very several ways, especially if you do sports, you do anything else, uh gymnastics. And so for us in the African setting, we always think that uh the absence of the hymen is absence of virginity. It is not true. So that is what we want to debunk that the menstrual cup cannot break your virginity because it's only just fitting into collect the fluid.

[01:44:29]Yes. And so when you use the cup, it doesn't mean that you're breaking your virginity. I hope I answered well, my medic.

[01:44:36]Thank you.

[01:44:39]>> Uh Madam Magdalene and Dr. Roselyn Nyakona, I think you give your closing remarks.

[01:44:54]>> TV for having us once again, Sarah in Brighton. And I like the work you're doing. So keep it up. We we work together through all this. And the entire the entire uh team at EATV. For our students, the young generation, Young Solidarity Foundation and the students from Egerton, I'm happy that you have had such an an engaging session.

[01:45:15]Uh you've really done well. I'm so impressed. I I didn't know that uh we would have such a a lively show.

[01:45:21]And uh I'm hoping that mbanja your Kenya out of this. And I'd like to also say that uh at the to leave Kenya code switching.

[01:45:33]Eh, I was in love and also make it.

[01:45:35]Yes. And then by one so thank you so much. Just to wind up I'll just like to say that let us continue enlightening our society and as I said next year when we come back here since you only we should not be talking of period poverty.

[01:45:52]The match that we can do whether as an individual as a group or as a society or as and all the other stakeholders let us do.

[01:46:01]Sincerely let us do and also just to wind up I'd say if there is any school out there that is stranded that the teachers maybe do not have enough sanitary towels. This is the time to also reach out to us so that where we are able to mobilize we can get those sanitaries to reach the population out there. And we almost forgot we you know we talk about children more but the young man raised an issue about young girls in in in college.

[01:46:30]You see poverty come in the total after through college but I may follow until I'm a loser to someone a party employment. So we should not ignore the age of young girls in institutions of learning whether they senior high school or in college. They are all our children until that time they go into employment.

[01:46:48]So we also really need to look into their welfare and then make a step forward. Thank you very much.

[01:46:57]>> Oh yeah.

[01:46:59]For me what I will say is that uh let us work together to make sure that no girl misses [snorts] class to make sure that no girl loses her confidence or girl that misses her class because of menses.

[01:47:15]Let us try to work together you as the 40 state in trying to create awareness and by the way thank you very much for giving us this opportunity to be able to speak out.

[01:47:26]And also thanking also the young people in this room for their contribution and resilience.

[01:47:34]So, let us keep working together so that we make sure that at least we we are able to bring down the stigma and also to be able to make sure that our girls go to school without fear and without any feeling any stigmatized.

[01:47:52]If you you go out there you're on your menses but you're confident. Because somehow nobody is there talking about who you are going to menses or anything like that. You know what I mean.

[01:48:03]And I'm also asking the viewers, especially those ones who are voting in Kisii kindly vote for me.

[01:48:12]Because in voting Roseline then we know that we are we we are supporting these young girls and women.

[01:48:20]>> Thank you.

[01:48:21]>> Oh, good to see you.

[01:48:24]>> [gasps] >> And thank you very much for always listening to us as Etya TV.

[01:48:47]Thank you very much.

[01:48:48]>> Thank you.

[01:48:49]>> Thank you so much incoming women of Kisii County 2027 Dr. Roseline Nyakona David.

[01:48:55]Byron Abiero has said let us embrace this issue. Call me Forester Byron Obiero from Egerton University. For those very very very many remarks before Mzee wa kazi amalize, we have to clap for ourselves. [applause] Actually, for this day.

[01:49:11]Thank you so much for showing up. Thank you for so much for your feedbacks. Dr. Magdalene, thank you very much. Mukienda back, we pray for your safety. Our incoming, we are together here and we'll always be here for you and thank you for your support. I always follow. The support you you give much more.

[01:49:29]Carry it on. Carry it on. It is women and women support. Thank you very much.

[01:49:35]Anything like that breakfast show. I'm a mom Africa going to get a breakfast show.

[01:49:51]Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much.

[01:49:55]Yeah. Let us call it a day.

[01:50:00]Yeah.

[01:50:01]Mhm. Mhm.

[01:50:04]All right.

[01:50:05]Mhm.

[01:50:09]Yeah. Okay.

[01:50:15]Grace. Yeah.

[01:50:28]Mhm.

[01:50:41]Mhm.

[01:50:42]Mhm.

[01:50:43]Mhm.

[01:50:46]Boss. I want to buy it.

[01:50:49]Yes.

[01:50:51]Mhm.

[01:50:56]Please you give me that one.

[01:51:02]Mhm.

[01:51:04]Mhm.

[01:51:08]Mhm.

[01:51:11]Mhm.

[01:51:12]Mhm.

[01:51:14]>> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much.

[01:51:17]>> [laughter] >> Thank you. Thank you.

[01:51:19]Thank you. Thank you so much.

[01:51:22]Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you.

[01:51:24]Thank you. Thank you.

[01:51:25]>> Yes.

[01:51:30]>> [music] [music] [music] [music]