15 going 50

Juliah Roberts makes an obscene statement for conservatives

When leaders call for protests, how likely are you to step out of your house, or ask for leave from work to join the demonstrations? What worries you about the demonstrations? Is it the possibility of the peaceful demonstrations turning violent, is it the risk of the possibility of police using live bullets on demonstrators, or is it the risk of getting mugged by goons who take advantage of the protests?

In this episode we will have last minute reflections on THE CRISIS COMMUNICATION CHAPTER project that I was a part of. Remember the Crisis Communication Chapter conversation we had last year about a group of multistakeholder individuals who came together to create awareness in Kibera about COVID-19, well, they had a re-run. For this phase, they focused on Communication and conflict management and they targeted

Historically, Kenya has had cases of post-election tension and violence especially in informal settlements and in Opposition territory. It was therefore prudent for the chapter to take the conversation to the ground, with the advantage of already having worked with the community on COVID-19 and established networks and relationships. The second phase focused on conflicts during election, and how, months down the recently held general elections, people in informal settlements including Kibera and Kisumu were responding to the news that it was not the opposition leader who took the seat, but rather the former vice president. There was an anticipation of protests but the calm that descended the nation was worth understanding.

The term last minute reflections is linked to events that occurred towards the end of the project that shed light on misinformation and disinformation in informal settlements and raised insights and learning moments within the team. Recently, former opposition leader, and former prime minister called for demonstrations. Coincidentally during the same time, there were on going demonstrations in Africa in South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Kenya. The thing about the demonstrations in Kenya was that they were centered in Nairobi, in informal settlements, including Kibera and Mathare, and in

It took me 25 years, to break my virginity in experiencing period shame and period stigma. Before that, I had no clue what it meant, for a woman to stand up from her sit and have everyone stare, or whisper about her stained clothes. I was using a different brand of sanitary towels and unfortunately, well, belonging to the heavy flow category, the towels could not accommodate me for a few hours. And on this particular day, I can remember, the first person to call it out, not to give me a heads up but to call it out, was a woman who semi-shouted ‘Shit amejimess’. (you like want to cover your bum) Lord, I wanted to die. But my case is an extreme example because of course I had access to extra towels, I just couldn’t change until I got to a place convenient enough for me to change, but the damage was already done. I was the girl, that day, who stained her clothes with period blood. Out there though, this is the story of so many girls, who unfortunately cannot do shit about their situation.

A few day ago, the senate house was allegedly disgraced because a woman stained her clothes while having her period. Kenyan Senator Gloria Orwoba showed up in the senate chambers with her white trouser soiled with what looked like period blood. Honestly it was shocking for me that the first person to call her out, and in no kind words call her a disgrace, was a woman. Who called it faking, and that our culture as women require some privacy. She also pointed out that Sen. Gloria was sending a bad image to girls who look up to them as women. Now if this was stage managed to get the conversation going, it has definitely served it’s purpose, but what was interesting to me, was when the chair asked ‘what is this, that is out of order about senator Gloria’s dressing?’

If we understand the concept of symbolism, then perhaps we would applaud her for going out of her was to create awareness on a topic that hush hush even amongst women yet it is something that happens around us and will not stop happening just because we do not want to talk about it. What Sen. Gloria was advocating at least for me; for is that periods are normal, and they affect most girls and women, but unless we do something about the cost and accessibility of the commodity, most girls will continue to be affected by period poverty. They will miss school, and other important activities, because all hell shall break lose if they were to step out without the right insulation and soil their clothes. And additionally, since women reps and women senators are not coming out boldly to advocate for free sanitary towels or tampons, she had to do something about it, and in the process exposed just how bad period stigma is out here. This was my take home. Because we have had women representatives, women senators, and we even have National Government Affirmative Action Fund, under the Min of Public service, youth ang gender affairs but there is close to zero to show for sustainable measures put in place or advocated for to end period poverty and period stigma. While Sen Gloria was dressed as per the standing order, she was called out, not in a way intended to help her, but more to castigate her. Hers was just an example that period stigma and shame is something that women still go through.

A symbol of a new dawn

With the rate of unemployment in Africa, as well as the flooded job markets, a lot of yuoth opt to pursue interests outside their area of study. One market that has seen a lot of success in Africa is the writing space. Be it online writing or academic writing. As long as you have access to a laptop and reliable internet, you can work from the comfort of your home and make a living. The catch it; there are no rules that govern freelancing, especially when dealing with direct clients. The power play in place will make people constantly short change you, and they expect you to suck it up and serve them again.