Nyalenda Period Festival
Every year, Dreams Redefined CBO celebrates World Menstrual Hygiene Day with the Nyalenda Period Festival, a vibrant and empowering event that seeks to challenge societal barriers by celebrating menstruation as a symbol of strength and dignity rather than shame. Our annual events focus on sensitization, training on proper pad usage, and distribution of menstrual products to ensure dignity and health for all.
Understanding the Challenge
Menstruation is a natural biological process experienced by millions of young girls and women in the world. However, despite its significance, menstruation remains to be a topic of stigma and misinformation in many communities including Kisumu.
In Kenya, Inadequate menstrual hygiene management (MHM) remains a serious challenge for adolescent girls and Young Women. Despite tax exemptions on sanitary commodities and government programs that support communities to promote menstrual equity, a significant number of Kenyan women and girls still struggle to afford menstrual products; approximately 65% of females in Kenya are unable to afford menstrual products.
Our Objectives for Nyalenda Period Festival
Our Journey So Far
2025 - "Together for a Period-Friendly World"
🎉 MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Dreams Redefined CBO successfully executed the 3rd Annual Nyalenda Period Festival at Nyalenda Health Centre in Kisumu County. This event was more than just a success it was a powerful demonstration of collaboration, commitment, and community impact towards creating a Period-Friendly World.
🏆 Outstanding Achievements:
- 500 adolescent girls and young women reached with comprehensive menstrual hygiene management education
- Dignity packs distributed to all 500 participants - 6-month supply each including:
- 6 packs of sanitary towels
- 1 bar of soap
- 2 pairs of underwear
- 1 pack of reusable sanitary towels
- 100 adolescent boys engaged with MHM education, challenging taboos and encouraging male allyship
- Each boy received 1 pair of boxers and 1 bar of soap
- Comprehensive education on personal hygiene management for boys
🎯 Focused Breakout Sessions Addressed:
- Period poverty and economic barriers
- Menstrual hygiene and broader health concerns
- Menstrual waste management and environmental impact
- Ending stigma around menstruation
- Policy advocacy for menstrual equity
- Male involvement in MHM initiatives
🎤 Dynamic Panel Discussion - "Multisectoral Approach Towards Addressing MHM"
Moderated by: Michelle Mitch
Diverse Panel Included:
- Adolescent girl representative
- Parent/guardian
- Teacher
- Health service provider
- County WASH Coordinator
- Community health promoter
- Dreams Redefined CBO representative
- SRHR & HIV/AIDS Standing Committee member
- Male MHM champion
🎙️ Plenary Session Highlights
Theme: "Together for a Period-Friendly World"
Moderated by: Jenice Audi from She4She Teachers Network
Powerful discussions centered on creating a world where menstruation is accepted as normal, everyone is educated about periods, and quality menstrual products are accessible to all.
👥 Distinguished Guests & Officials
- Dr. Marcia Obondi - MOH Kisumu Central (Chief Guest)
- Trizer Ogam - In-Charge, Nyalenda Health Centre
- Mr. Peter Sirima - County WASH Coordinator
- Mr. Isaac - County Health Promotion Coordinator
- Madam Jane Owuor - County Reproductive Health Coordinator
2024
Our second annual festival successfully reached 600 girls, equipping them with menstrual health education and access to dignity packs that sustained them for 3 months.
Key Achievements:
- Promoted sustainability through reusable sanitary towels
- Engaged male champions to break menstrual stigma
- Encouraged open conversations about periods
- Conducted follow-up activities to assess the use of reusable sanitary towels
2023
Our inaugural Nyalenda Period Festival, focusing on basic education and breaking the silence around periods in the informal settlements of Kisumu.
Key Achievements:
- Launched the first Nyalenda Period Festival on World Menstrual Hygiene Day
- Conducted basic menstrual health education sessions in 7 schools
- Distributed disposable pads to girls from low-income families
- Trained 15 female teachers as menstrual health educators
Support Our Nyalenda Period Festival
Help us reach more girls and women with essential menstrual health education and products. Your support makes a difference in breaking the stigma and ensuring dignity for all.
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