Step into the world of spoken word with Janet Mbugua as she hosts Norris Kabembe, a poet known as the "Revolutionary spitter." Inspired by his grandfather's activism and fueled by the spirit of figures like Thomas Sankara, Norris uses poetry as a powerful tool for social change. From addressing gender-based violence to advocating for community invo…

Join Janet Mbugua in a heartfelt conversation with Zahra, "A Wounded Healer" and a mental health advocate dedicated to breaking the silence surrounding mental health in Kenya. Zahra shares her journey of overcoming mental health challenges and finding purpose in advocating for others. Explore her innovative approach to mental health through worksho…

Join Janet Mbugua in a captivating episode of "My First Time Stories" as she hosts Ndereva Mutua, an artist whose work transcends canvas to become a powerful voice for human rights activism. From humble beginnings as a portrait artist in Mathare, Mutua shares his journey of using art as a tool for social change. Delve into his experiences with graf…

Join Janet Mbugua in a powerful conversation with Doris, an advocate for menstrual health and endometriosis awareness. Doris shares her personal journey of living with menstrual disorders for 33 years before receiving a proper diagnosis. From misdiagnosis to advocacy, she reveals the challenges and triumphs of her journey. Dive into her efforts to …

In this episode, we delve into the rich and varied experiences of menstruation across different generations. With guests Prof.Myriam Sidibe, Dr. Claire Kinuthia, and Keziah Ouma, we discuss the journey from the onset of periods, through middle age, to menopause. Our conversation highlights the misinformation and myths surrounding menstruation, addr…

Step into the dynamic world of content creation with Janet Mbugua as she introduces Anita, a banker and content creator. Discover how Anita's passion for reviewing public Transport vehicles in Kenya transcends stereotypes and empowers others to embrace their interests fearlessly. From challenging male-dominated spaces to fostering community through…

Join Janet Mbugua in a captivating dialogue with Temina Semo, a lawyer by profession and advocate for women's self-care and empowerment. Temina shares her journey from aspiring filmmaker to passionate advocate for human rights and menstrual equity. Delve into her experiences as a content creator and her commitment to fostering positive conversation…

Join Janet Mbugua in a thought-provoking discussion with Aryana Raj, Pinky Ghelani's daughter, a passionate advocate for climate action and youth empowerment. Aryana shares her insights on the urgency of addressing climate change and the importance of staying committed to impactful projects. Delve into her aspirations for acting, her observations o…

Amidst Kenya's vibrant youth movement demanding recognition in politics and development, young advocates are championing inclusivity and highlighting the transformative power of youth participation in decision-making processes. This video showcases the compelling voices of young leaders advocating for their rightful place in policy-making and socie…

This new development (concession?) is overshadowed by the heartbreaking reality: innocent lives lost, many injured, and others still abducted. Before that, gaslighting and a lack of empathy. This is still far cry from #TheKenyaWeWant. An mchanga account is asking for donations to support the families of those affected during the protests. Please co…

Join Temina in a heartfelt conversation with Norah, a former school president and advocate for positive change. Norah shares her journey of advocating for school reforms, promoting online safety, and embracing self-care amidst social pressures. Dive into Norah's world as she discusses her passion for art, her aspirations for supernatural abilities,…

In this episode, Anita Ndete hosts Daniel Mose , a passionate young advocate for child rights and football enthusiast. Daniel discusses the need to establish football clubs for girls to fight period poverty, support peers facing educational challenges, and combat child oppression. He emphasizes the importance of social media advocacy, talent shows,…

In this episode, Janet Mbugua chats with Tumi Mathenge, a teenage advocate for climate change and social justice. Tumi shares her insights on period poverty, her passion for conservation, and the wisdom imparted by her supportive parents. Discover her inspiring journey and dedication to creating a better world for women and the environment.…

In our season relaunch, we dive into the pressing issue of menstrual hygiene policies in Kenya and Africa. Joined by our insightful guests, Megan Mukuria , Innocent Indenje , and Lucy Wambui we explore the persistent period stigma and the harsh realities some girls face, including Sex for pads - sexual exchange just to obtain sanitary pads. Despite…

We continue with our conversation on Safe Spaces with University of Nairobi, UNESCO and the #O3plus campaign and learn about the RADA app, available for students on campus to be able to access information on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, as part of a larger conversation on students safety and agency. Here is part 2…

Creating Safe Spaces on Campuses, for students to talk about their reproductive health and rights as well as violence, is important. But what happens when they feel like they've been seeking safe spaces for a long time and don't feel heard? We spoke with students at the University of Nairobi, I collaboration with UNESCO as part of their #O3plus cam…

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…

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…

When I met Fenny, I was drawn by her passion for social impact as much as her passion and enthusiasm for the flute! Fenny has grown up surrounded by the injustices she now spends a lot of her time working towards ending, as a core part of the Inua Dada Foundation team, at our centre in Korogocho. I spoke to her about how deep the issue of Period Po…

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…

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…

'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." - Tes…

According to Huck Magazine, in their article 'Why Do So Many Girls Lie About Starting Their Period', girls are getting their period post-millennium averages at 12.5 years, making way for puberty to hit at the earliest stage since the 1800's. At the same time, young women today are under immense pressure to adhere to societal expectations of womanho…

'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 menst…

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 t…

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 (Sha…

"Please don't call it Pee-Coz! It's PCOS!" Ciiku insists, rightfully so as she discusses her condition and normalizing the conversation. PCOS or Polycystic ovary syndrome is described as a hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges. Symptoms include menstrual irregularity, excess hair growth, acne, and obesity. C…

Welcome to Season 2 of our Podcast! I can't believe we're here! To kick off this next phase of conversations, I sat down with Alfred Muli to hone in on just how critical male allyship is in addressing issues around Menstrual Health. He's a Menstrual Health Champion and continues to host conversations as well as distribute Menstrual products, in a b…

Dr. Claire Kinuthia extends her passion for the field of Gynecology, to mainstreaming less talked about reproductive health matters by using her social media platforms to amplify key information. We went over a few frequently asked questions that we picked from our My First Time social media platforms. Dr. Claire also talks about the role she feels…

For Yasmin, Period Poverty is something she has witnessed since she was a little girl growing up in Kibra. Over the last few years, she has continued to lend her voice to speaking out against Menstrual Injustice and lead efforts to lobby for increased budgetary allocation. The Kenyan Parliament slashed the current budget for allocation of sanitary …

Over 1 billion people – about 15% of the global population – currently experience disability and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), women and girls with disabilities may experience menarche and menstruation differently—and more negatively—compared to non-disabled women. I sat down with Josephine Muturi, teacher living with disability…

For a lot of teen girls, the onset of their periods comes with trauma and the ever familiar statement from their mother; do not play with boys! But how do they internalize the information across counties in Kenya? We learnt about experiences in Homabay County, which hosts the valuable Lake Victoria which is a source of livelihood for many residents…

She's one of the most recognizable voices in advocacy in Kenya and is a global champion for human rights, an author, a podcaster and a style icon! We spoke with Adelle Onyango about her thoughts on legislation and empathy for Menstruators, many of whom continue to struggle to access sanitary products and information on their sexual and reproductive…

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 F…

In many communities, family, especially the mother, has the most important role in the education and health behaviors of girls, in order for them to have a healthy transition during their puberty. Madhvi, who is a Menstrual Health Champion and founder of the progressive platform, PadMad, has been empowering girls across Kenya and is now often time …

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 tran…

Talking openly about Menstruation has often been deemed taboo. Although this is beginning to change as we see more members of society speaking up against stigma and poverty, myths, misconceptions, and misinformation about periods feed into stigma which can be hugely damaging for many girls, women, and people who menstruate around the world. On this…

Access to tampons and pads for incarcerated people is a right, not a privilege. Yet the world over, inmates have to beg for what they need to manage their period. On today's episode, we speak to Teresa Njoroge, the fonder of Clean Start who has also made her story global on TED Talks. She currently runs an organization that helps former inmates acr…

Welcome to my first time stories