Abby was continuously bothered by girls in her community missing school, and the inconsistently of providing school girls with sanitary products. While on campus, she formed a group with her friends, to raise funds to mentor young girls and she's gone on to publish a book, which details the lengths to which undeserved girls and women have to go, to manage their period. It's called The Flow of Life. Here is our conversation. Follow My First Time here: Instagram: @myfirsttimestories ..read more

Sheila Munyiva is a formidable actress who stunned on the screens in the critically acclaimed Kenyan movie, Rafiki. She continues to use her advocate for inclusion, whether that means diversity on screen or inclusivity and equity in Menstrual Justice. We spoke with her about how she hopes more of us can uplift those whose stories are often shrouded in stigma and shame.  Her latest series, Country Queen, is currently on Netflix! Follow My First Time here: Instagram: @myfirsttimestories ..read more

I've been up and down, out and about but that's no excuse  My travels and engagements have however allowed me to begin to see the urgency in ensuring that access to reproductive health and rights information, is made available, NOW! I also talk about the Day of the Girl and how much more progress we need to push for, plus a highlight on World Mental Health Day. Listen in as I encourage YOU to take action, take up space, and share your story or be involved in Social Justice. Thank you for continuing to follow My First Time Stories - more soon  Follow My First Time here: Instagram ..read more

Hey folks! Thank you for walking with our podcast and winning an APVA award with us! I'm truly inspired by the stories we've highlighted and your own passion to address matters to do with Social Justice. In this episode, I catch up with you all and tease what's to come, as we continue to push for Menstrual Justice and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, one story at a time!Follow My First Time here:Instagram: @myfirsttimestories ..read more

'When a girl gets her first period, the family throws a big party because the girl becomes a woman ' - Testimonial from Greece." You need to lick a teaspoon of honey to make the future periods easier." - Testimonial from Israel"I called my grandma over the toilet and told her what I saw on my panties. When she saw the blood she SLAPPED ME." - Testimonial from Turkey All of these reactions are ways in which a girl's first period is met with. They vary from country to community and while often time first periods are met with shame, stigma, shock, and other largely negative reactions, more a ..read more

'I wish I knew how uncomfortable they could be''I wish I knew how moody I would be''I just wish someone had told me!'What do you wish you knew about periods?According to healthpartner.com, over 50% of people who menstruate experience some pain with their period. In fact, pain is the most common problem that people complain of during their menstrual cycles.That honest conversation forms our latest podcast episode, where we speak to our #InuaDadaVoices advocates, Lilian and Rose.Follow My First Time here:Instagram: @myfirsttimestories ..read more

According to the International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, All religions of the world have placed restrictions on menstruating women. Be it Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, or Buddhism. Sikhism is the only religion where the scriptures condemn sexism and don't impose any restrictions on menstruating women.  While we were honored to feature progressive religious leaders in our book My First Time (currently available at Text Book Centre stores in Nairobi), in reality, many religions perpetuate stigma related to Menstruation. We spoke to our #InuaDadaVoices advocates on ..read more

Studies report that many girls have lots of misconceptions about Menstruation. Most of this information is acquired from their mothers, television, friends, and teachers. Such taboos affect girls' and women's emotional state, mentality, lifestyle, and most importantly health. We sat with Inua Dada Foundation youth advocates, including a Doctor (Sharon), to debunk some of these misconceptions, in a sometimes funny, sometimes concerning a conversation with podcast host Janet Mbugua. Follow My First Time here: Instagram: @myfirsttimestories ..read more

When the book My First Time was published, some of the diverse voices that were represented in text, came to life through a series of audio conversations that continue to hold true just two years later. Legendary Kenyan Sports Commentator Carol Radull, talked to My First Time about period poverty, myths and the power to do so much more.    Follow My First Time across social media here: Instagram: @MyFirstTimeStories Facebook: My First Time Stories ..read more

According to UNICEF, more than 1.2 million primary school-age children in Kenya, which has a population of 50 million, do not attend school at all.  Research shows that 65% of Kenyan women and girls are unable to afford basic sanitary pads. As a consequence, girls often rely on the men in their lives for period products and some girls engage in transactional sex in order to secure sanitary products, perpetuating a patriarchal cycle of reliance and exploitation. In this episode I spoke to Benazir Omotto and Lavender Akinyi of Umande Trust, a rights based agency based in Kenya, on the work ..read more