Unfortunately, even young children exhibit acts of gender inequality in their behaviours and utterances in schools, playgrounds and places of worship. I always asked myself, \”who told the three years old boy he is stronger than his elder sister because he is a male\”? What makes that young teenager believe he is the sole heir to the family inheritance? What can we say about the Darwinism origin of species and natural selection? Is this also in place? Can we also put into perspective Bandura’s social learning principles? All of these put the burning concerns about the default settings of patriarchy over matriarchy. In my quest for specific answers, I discovered it all started in the “family”, right in the home.

Our parents unintentionally taught us that “males are superior to females” by their actions and words. Gender inequality has been practiced and passed down from one generation to the other. Ashley Montagu, a great British anthropologist, said, “the family is the basis of the society, as the family is, so is the society”. The family makes up society.

It begins from birth. In Nigeria, parents celebrate a male child\’s birth more than a female child. Parents provide more tender care to the male child and go as far as telling the female siblings that the male child is the bearer of the family name and future. The household chore is seen as the female’s domain, so the girl is given more work in the house because she is told that “she is a home keeper and will grow up to be a housewife”. The girl child is already conditioned for marriage right from childhood. Adichie wrote, “we condition girls to aspire to marriage, but we don’t condition boys to aspire to marriage, so there is already a terrible imbalance at the start”. Girls are told and conditioned to compromise everything for their male partners. Then the males are prioritized in education. The boys go to school while the girls help their mothers at home, farm or market. The boys are encouraged to build interest in politics and take up leadership roles, while the girls are told they are followers and cannot lead. Even in nursery and primary schools, the class/house captains are primarily boys. From a tender age, the boys have the freedom to go anywhere at any time, while the females are not allowed to leave the house at any time. A male folk is told to protect his sisters even though he is the youngest of them all. Parents share information and consult with the male children in making decisions in the family but neglect the females. The action of parents naturally communicates the message of patriarchy to the children.

 Unintentional stereotyping of one gender through words is very common in Nigeria and is seen as casual, but it makes an everlasting impression in the hearts of the boys and girls. Statements like “why are you crying like a girl”? Quite a pathetic way of describing actions as weak and aligning such actions to the feminine gender, describing the female gender as an emotional piece that needs succour. “Why are you behaving like a girl”? Questioning the nature of one’s behavior as a strategy to make one wake up from a weak feminine associated state. “Don’t you know you are a man? You are worthless for letting a girl come top of the class”, as though academic prowess is meant for men alone. These statements begin to shape the thought pattern and behavior of the male child towards dominance and the females towards weakness. It all begins right from the Home.

 The human system is not devoid of learning, especially in children at this stage of development. Anything the parents do influences the children either consciously or unconsciously. The human mind is adroit and takes cognizance of everything placed on it. Parents must do more if we need to take this challenge to bring equality to our society. Most importantly, start by showing equal love to your children, eliminating any form of gender roles in the home, and then giving them an equal opportunity as they all have equal rights. Parents should discourage patriarchy and promote gender equality in the best possible ways.

Being a humanitarian worker was never my dream, even though I had an idea about the humanitarian field while growing up because my father was the country representative for one of the faith-based international medical non-governmental organizations in Northeast Nigeria. I followed him occasionally to the field because there was no conflict at the time and security risks were minimal. I felt this joy and sense of purpose anytime I was in the field with my father. I never knew I would one day be a humanitarian worker.

When the conflict began in Northeast Nigeria and the need for humanitarian support was enormous, I offered myself to volunteer with the government help later, I volunteered with a national non-governmental organization, then I joined the international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), and here I am today as a sector manager. I have experience working in the deep field face to face with near-death situations and amazing moments working with our beneficiaries. I love being a humanitarian worker. It comes with a sense of fulfilment knowing someone out there will smile or receive support because of what I do. When I wake up every day and remember my contribution makes the world a better place, it keeps me going.

2. Tell us why you choose to identify as a feminist and GBV activist

I grew up in a patriarchal society that empowers the males but denies the females the same privilege on the bases of gender. Structural inequalities and discrimination have confined the females within this region and limited their access to opportunities and contributions to society. I grew up seeing GBV perceived as normal and accepted as part of life. This has been passed down from generation to generation.

My mindset began to change when I witnessed situations where my female classmates in high school were denied the opportunity to further their education, my coursemate in the university dropped out of school because she was raped, and colleagues with great visions and dreams were denied opportunities because of gender norms. I kept asking why and what could be done to change the narrative.

As I kept asking questions and seeking answers, I read books on marginalization and gender inequality. I met certain individuals and organizations that helped me gain understanding, and the answers to my questions began to unfold. Today, I boldly say I am a feminist. I fight inequality and GBV with every fibre in me and advocate for equity and Justice. We are not there yet, but I will keep doing what I can do in my own little way until we have an equal and equitable world.

3. What are the challenges of being a feminist and GBV activist?

As a feminist and GBV activist, you face many challenges everywhere, and sometimes you ask yourself, is it worth it? (Oh yes, it is worth it). One of the major challenges is the lack of understanding of feminism in Nigeria. Most people think feminism is hatred for men and fighting over dominance, but no, we are just asking for equal rights and opportunities. The males should not be prioritized over the females. All should be given equal chances and fully supported. Feminists are openly criticized and attacked because of the misunderstanding of feminism. Hence, most feminists do not declare or support feminism publicly. Another challenge is the rigid and defensive mindset because of the conflicting cultural and religious beliefs. Nigeria is deeply rooted in cultural norms which shape the mindset of the people; hence very difficult to change the mindset of patriarchy.  

4. What is the current humanitarian situation in Nigeria?

The humanitarian situation in Nigeria is a state of protection crisis with protracted displacement. Millions of people are displaced due to prolonged armed conflict within Northeast Nigeria. The 2022 humanitarian response plan report confirms that as of January 2022, 8.5 million people need humanitarian aid in Northeast Nigeria. Also, there is an influx of Cameroonian refugees into Nigeria because of the displacement caused by the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon\’s English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions. UNHCR confirms 72,838 registered Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria.  The humanitarian situation in Nigeria is becoming complex with the recent increase in displacement because of banditry and inter-ethnic conflict within the Northwest and North central region of Nigeria.

5. What role does the mainstream media play in covering the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria? And how do you think this is impacting the NGOs community?

I strongly believe the media plays a key role in raising awareness and drawing the attention of relevant stakeholders (such as donors) and the world to the humanitarian crises to secure the support required. Quality news coverage can shape crises\’ responses, most commonly by stimulating further research and/or advocacy and informing organizational or operational priorities. Currently, the media simply lacks an in-depth analysis of the reality of the current crisis in Nigeria.

Impact on NGO Community

The NGO community has been negatively affected by the poor performance of mainstream media.

1. The NGO community has experienced a decrease in donor interest and funding pool because the crisis in Nigeria seems to be a ‘’forgotten crisis”. The media is not providing information that would gain the attention of the donors and see the need to mobilize resources for response. 
2. The negative media report in the country towards the NGOs is also projecting a significant mistrust and reducing the level of acceptance of humanitarian actors/activities in the eyes of the state authorities and beneficiaries.

There is a need for the media outlets to understand the processes of humanitarian intervention and its implications when reporting negative news on humanitarian actors/activities.

6. What are your thoughts on funding protection programs in Nigeria? How does it impact the humanitarian intervention?

While Nigeria\’s crisis is described as a protection crisis, protection programs are underfunded and the least prioritized. Resources are least allocated to address protection risks.

The impact is glaring on the humanitarian intervention because the threats of harm are increasing and the established systems in place to protect the population are broken and unfunctional. Despite all efforts by the humanitarians, the population keeps facing increased protection risks and psychosocial distress because the right protection mechanism is not in place. Protection programs are as important as health and food interventions. Until the capacity of the population and communities are strengthened to establish protection mechanisms and adequately respond to protection risks, the humanitarian intervention will not be as much effective as it should.

I will encourage donors to prioritize protection programs and adequately provide funding alongside other programs using an integrated approach.  

7. What are the main challenges facing women and girls in northeast Nigeria? How do you think NGOs can support the woman and girls there?

Women and girls in Nigeria face many challenges exacerbated by the crisis and COVID 19 pandemic. Most of the challenges are related to social norms. Some of these challenges include:

1. Women and girls are disfavored when it comes to access to resources, inheritance and opportunities within the family and community
2. Women and girls are disfavored regarding access to education and livelihood opportunities. The males are given priority.
3. Women and girls are more vulnerable to GBV, sexual exploitation and abuse, and sex for survival.
4. Women and girls are affected more by reproductive health issues and lack of body autonomy. Their spouse or male significant other decides on the female\’s reproductive health and body.
5. Women and girls are not supported to take up leadership roles in society, even in schools.
6. Women and girls have limited knowledge on how to claim their rights and her encouraged by society to be submissive and claim no rights.

NGOs can support women and girls through:

1. Women empowerment interventions
2. Gender transformative programs
3. Girl child education interventions
4. Gender mainstreaming in all interventions
5. Increased gender equality campaigns
6. High-level advocacy and policy change strategy

8. How should the protection sector be integrated with Nigeria\’s development approach and durable solutions?

It is critical that the protection sector is integrated into the Development and durable solutions approach to ensure that elements of protection are central in the approach. This would ensure that durable solutions do not cause any harm and that everyone in the population benefits while being protected. Integration could be done through:

1. Providing technical support to the state and all stakeholders involved in using the protection lens while developing strategies and planning durable solutions.
2. Coordinates and ensures protection mainstreaming in all binding national and state policies that will guide the approach to achieving durable solutions.
3. A monitoring system is in place to ensure protection minimum standards are followed in addressing the needs of the affected population.

9. Who is your role model in the humanitarian field?

In my perspective, a role model is someone who has attained excellence in a certain aspect of their life and is looked to by others as an example to be imitated. In the humanitarian field, currently, five people I consider my role models have attained excellence in their uniqueness and are worthy of emulation. They have carved a path worthy of following. I study them carefully and learn and imitate them. They are: Ali Al Mokdad, Eric Okoth, Rasmus Nielsen, Adonis SamFana and Sophia Karimi

10. Quote

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”. Helen Keller

“Together for Just World”.

According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, the aggregate findings of the most recent World Values Survey reveal only minor differences in voter turnout between men and women, which means that both men and women almost equally exercised their right to vote in their countries. For example, in Kenya’s 2017 national election, the total number of registered voters was 19 611 4234 (about 9.1 million female and 10.6 million male), and voter turnout was approximately 79 per cent, with roughly 15.2 million valid votes cast. However, although the turnout for female voters was high, women were still unable to gain the constitutionally mandated 33 per cent representation in elective office (NDI and FIDA, 2018).

Women play a paramount role when they vote. First, they promote genuine democracy by exercising their right to vote. One of the fundamental principles of democracy is citizen participation. Elections are free and fair when both men and women participate equally in the electoral process. Also, through civic education provided during the electoral process, women learn about their electoral and constitutional rights and how to advocate and fight for their rights.

Female voters significantly increase the number of women in leadership positions when they support their fellow women who vie for political positions. This increases women in power and leadership positions and ensures the realization of two-thirds gender rule in Kenya. For example, in Bomet county, during the 2017 national elections, women supported and voted for the Late Governor Joyce Laboso, who won the gubernatorial seat to become the first woman governor in Kenya.

Women\’s political participation promotes gender equality by challenging the social and political structures that maintain a culture of subordination of women in both the private and public spheres. Involving women in politics has both political and economic benefits. Politically, it increases the number of women in parliament, reduces corruption, improves policy outcomes, and promotes minority group inclusion in public spheres. Economically, it views women as development actors, encourages women\’s labor-force participation, and promotes economic and development growth (Asiedu et al. 2018.) For instance, significant policy and legislative changes in favor of women were made during this time and sponsored by female Members of Parliament (MPs) as the number of women in parliament increased, especially in the 9th and 10th Parliaments. These include laws addressing children\’s rights, employment, sexual offences, and tax exemptions for diapers and sanitary towels. Not to be overlooked is the parental leave, which was extended to four months (Anyango et al. 2018).

Female voters create opportunities that allow them to engage in public decision-making. Women are not a homogenous group. Depending on their geographical location, age, social status, level of education, or marital status, they have very different life experiences that lead to different priorities and needs. During the electoral process, women receive civic education that creates awareness of the importance of electing credible leaders.

Their needs, interests, and wants are considered when they vote for credible leaders who articulate their issues. This, in turn, affects the level of development in the country.

Female voters create opportunities for women\’s organizations to play a crucial role in empowering women in politics. For example, choosing qualified candidates, facilitating women\’s nominations and elections, supporting younger women seeking to enter politics with capacity-building and training, encouraging collaboration between women from various social sectors both inside and outside of politics, raising resources and funds for campaigns, and developing networks (Asiedu et al. 2018). For instance, the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Kenya, 2021, started a campaign to encourage the participation of women in political leadership at the county and national levels. The \”#VoteADada\” campaign, supported by the Kenyan Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA), Diakonia Kenya, the Swiss Embassy in Kenya, and Womankind Worldwide, aims to start a conversation about achieving the constitutionally required two-thirds majority in elective and appointed positions.

Women constitute half of the registered voters in Kenya and therefore play a crucial role in ensuring the increase of women’s participation in power and decision-making positions, that democracy is upheld, and that leaders who will steer the country into sustainable development are elected.

References

Anyango, B , Alupo, B & Opoku, M. (2018). Women in Politics in Kenya: an Analysis of Participation and Barriers. Multidisciplinary Journal of Gender Studies. 7. 1505-1530. 10.17583/generos.2018.3179.

Asiedu, E., Branstette, C., Gaekwad-Babulal, N., & Malokele, N. (2018, January). The effect of women’s representation in parliament and the passing of gender sensitive policies. In ASSA Annual Meeting (Philadelphia, 5-7 January). https://www.area web.Org/conference.

Abdurashid, S. (2016). Voter turnout trends around the world. Stockholm: International IDEA.

BRIEF, POLICY BRIEF POLICY. \”Strengthen Girls’ and Women’s Political Participation and Decision-Making Power.\”  Deliver for Good.

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Kenya), (2018) A Gender Analysis of the 2017 Kenya Elections.

Unpaid care work encompasses all services provided for free within a household for its members, including housework and volunteer community service (OECD, 2014).  It entails caring for children, the elderly, and the sick. It also includes laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, and cleaning. Women and girls devote a disproportionate amount of time to unpaid care work compared to men. This is because gender norms reinforce the notion that women\’s and girls\’ roles are limited to the home.

Although unpaid care work is critical for households and economies to thrive, it remains invisible and undervalued. According to Global Citizen, the total value of unpaid care work is estimated to be between 10% and 39% of the Gross Domestic Product. When recognized, it will have a greater economic impact than sectors such as manufacturing, commerce, and transportation.

The burden of unpaid care work aggravates women’s time in poverty, severely limiting their ability to participate in various political, social and economic activities. Time poverty is a lack of discretionary time brought about by inequitable gender-biased allocation of unpaid labor and it mostly affects women. When women devote their time to unpaid care work, they lose valuable time that could be used to increase sustainable productivity, learn how to assert their rights, and participate in decision-making. Not only does time poverty limit women as individuals, but it also prevents the community and country from benefiting from the talents and productivity that women would bring to the formal sector. Women in Kenya\’s informal settlements and rural areas bear the burden of unpaid care work and lack time for personal or leisure rest and sleep, which harms their health.

Many care-related tasks are performed by women in the morning between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m., which is considered the best time to find paid work. To balance their care burden, women are frequently forced to accept perilous, flexible, and low-wage work. (Action aid). Thus, poor rural women and women living in urban informal settlements face several barriers to finding fair and reasonably paid work. As a result, gendered jobs emerge, and the wage gap between men and women widens.

Once women join the paid labor force to gain economic empowerment, they face a triple burden: balancing household childcare and elder care with paid work responsibilities and engaging in community work. This frequently leads to women and girls foregoing their fundamental rights to education or furthering their studies, health care, decent work, and leisure time. This perpetuates the cycle of dependency, primarily on male family members, and can exacerbate gender inequality and violence against women. This keeps women and girls disproportionately vulnerable to poverty.

Children\’s well-being is seriously impacted by the unequal gender distribution of unpaid care duties. It restricts girls\’ time for leisure, personal growth, and learning, depriving them of equal possibilities to succeed. These limitations and missed opportunities will affect a girl\’s life well beyond childhood, possibly affecting her socioeconomic prospects, choices, and accomplishments as an adult — as well as the welfare of her children, should she become a mother. They are also likely to have an impact on boys, as they may adopt a skewed perception of the value of girls\’ versus boys\’ time and develop into limited roles as fathers and caregivers.

There is still work to be done to guarantee that Kenya completely tackles the disparities caused by unpaid care work and advances gender equality, even though various interventions have been made to recognize, lessen, and redistribute the burden of unpaid care work.

References

Actionaid International. Unpaid care and domestic work: who it affects and why it\’s a problem.

Ferrant, G., Pesando, L. M., & Nowacka, K. (2014). Unpaid Care Work: The missing link in the analysis of gender gaps in labor outcomes. Boulogne Billancourt: OECD Development Center.

Rodriguez, L. (2021). Unpaid Care Work: Everything You Need to Know. Global citizen

Oloo, R., & Parkes, A. (2021). Addressing unpaid care and domestic work for a gender-equal and inclusive Kenya. OXFAM.

The 16 Days of Activism Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to end violence against women and to advocate for the promotion and protection of women’s rights. The campaign runs annually from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights).

Gender Ink theme for the Campaign is “Silencing the Silence”.  

In the bid to silence the silence, we will create awareness of the need to Speak Out on incidences of GBV, whether we are victims, survivors, or witnesses. Calling out these acts which violate human rights moves us a step closer to preventing and eliminating gender-based violence. We are calling on all of us, women and girls, men and boys, to join in this fight by demystifying the myths, unlearning and relearning issues on GBV.

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We often discuss healthcare on a macro level. Why are the local clinics miles away? Why are the clinics not well-developed infrastructure wise? Why are the doctors and nurses overworked, underpaid, and are not provided for basic PPE? Why can we not find crucial medicine in our pharmacies and what is that about the blood bank again?

Today, however, let’s stray from the norm. Just today. At least until we are ready to speak more about this issue. Let’s think of the caregivers like Dr A has. No, not the nurses and doctors, although we respect them, the ones who are as shocked as you are at a sudden or chronic illness and take the time to be by your side feeding you, assisting you with normal easy tasks you are now finding difficult like bathing, walking, using the toilet or even just sitting up in bed. To many of us, it is just a spouse, or a parent, or a child, or a relative. In truth, at that point where you are not functioning at a hundred, they are your caregiver. I know you are probably wondering, “This is Gender Ink, exactly what does this have to do with gender?”

What are the Statistcis?

From a gender lens, most research, and statistics you can find on informal caregiving particularly in African countries mostly rotate around HIV/AIDS or care for the elderly. While it locks out other major conditions that are more caregiver demanding like cancer, cataracts, keratoconus, Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy or even old age, we can use it as a sample to dive deeper into the engendered aspect.

In several research studies around caregiving, it was found that of the informal caregivers in low- and middle-income countries, approximately 57%-81% were women. Bhan, Rao and Raj (2020) measured psychosocial well-being by asking their respondents, the caregivers, to self-rate their health based on how they felt about their stress levels, the level of difficulty of their task, etc. While they give great statistics, and if you do have time, feel free to read more on this great research, citation provided, it is the conclusion that the “long term effect of informal caregiving being associated with worse health outcomes, particularly greater mental health burdens, affect both men and women, but maybe more prominent in women” (Bhan, Rao and Raj, 2020), that catches my eye.

Exactly Why Do We Have More Women Caregivers?

We must have heard or even used the tag line, “We are Africans and Africa is our business,” when speaking about culture, politics, beliefs, economic, social, and other aspects of our lives. In the majority of our African societies, women take the role of nurturers and that alone has made them default informal caregivers. Of course, that does not mean that their gender triple roles are reduced by any measure. It is crucial to note that in recent years, more men are taking the informal caregiver roles, and soon we will be including discussion of men, especially in post-partum situations.

Can More Be Done to Support Informal Caregivers?

 Absolutely. With Africa’s network coverage increasing, we can develop tools like mobile apps and websites tailored specifically to address caregiver roles in particular illnesses, including how they can help loved ones accept and express themselves in the wake of a difficult illness. Mental health support specific to caregivers can also be explored. In some instances, educating a caregiver on the disease state and progression may also be of comfort to caregivers as they know what to expect instead of making those conversations exclusive for the rich relatives who only show up to drive them to the hospital once a month.

Unfortunately, our informal caregiver gems are rarely appreciated or recognized from a healthcare perspective. Let’s be honest African children. We contribute towards hospital bills, offer our prayers, and well wishes to the sick and visit them and completely neglect the caregivers’ existence and needs.

How many times have you picked up a packet of sanitary towels or a shaving blade for the caregiver while you stop by the supermarket to bring some Ribena or Lucozade for those ailing? Do we even genuinely ask how they are really doing and see beyond the “I am fine” response or usual pleasantries? How about in the event of death of whoever they are taking care of after years of their life being defined by their caregiving role? Are there resources for them to feel supported? Peer groups, mental health, education, and career? Anything anyone? We need to do better by our informal caregivers. Let’s all begin by recognizing they exist and that while it is not paid labor, it is work. Difficult work.

The Future of Caregiving

Of course, we cannot project the future with certainty, as COVID has taught us all. However, we can certainly start planning based on some facts. 200 million youth in Sub-Sahara Africa means obviously, in some 50 years we will need someone to take care of us because with old age, comes health complications. Already, around 45 million people in the region are living with diabetes, approximately 60% of dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer’s Disease, do we need to discuss arthritis cases rising?

Unlike previous generations, we will not have the luxury of our children being full-time caregivers given that life is becoming more expensive, meaning everyone is more focused on the productive role of life. Already, a lot of people are delaying parenthood anyway. Finding home managers is a challenge, so do not count on that either.

Part of our generational focus should be on how to transform the informal caregiving role into something more formal. We can learn a thing or two from our fellow earth occupants. We are already witnessing brain drain as more of our counterparts explore the western world healthcare industry where they need more people to cater for their ageing population and emerging diseases. Home aide health, certified nurse assistants, and personal care aides are areas that should certainly be developed. Not only will it offer relief to the informal caregivers by giving them a chance to take a day off or chase their dreams instead of pausing it, but also create employment. It is time to rethink those ridiculed “changing adult diapers” roles. As far as cost goes, we may want to start saving or change our attitude and policies towards insurance. Let’s selfishly plan for the future of the continent. We are no longer leaders of tomorrow. Tomorrow is here.

Reference

Nandita Bhan, Namratha Rao, and Anita Raj. Journal of Women’s Health. Oct 2020. 1328-1338. http://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2019.7769

A UNESCO report has shown that most women and girls from developing and underdeveloped countries cannot manage their menses and associated hygiene with dignity and ease. Especially those living in rural areas and the urban poor. This results from a lack of finances to afford menstrual products, illiteracy, lack of awareness of menstrual health hygiene, inadequate facilities, poor infrastructure, and cultural and social menstrual beliefs.

In Kenya, for example, in Communities living in the coastal Kenya and Eastern region like Wajir, Turkana, Mandera and Marsabit, Maasai and Samburu communities, menstrual health and talks are still considered taboo. To date, these cultural and social influences are a major barrier in ensuring that girls and women access proper knowledge on menstrual health and hygiene. Unfortunately, they are forced to isolate themselves from everyone during their menstrual days as they are perceived as unclean and embarrassing. Hence, prohibiting them from their day-to-day activities such as schooling and working. In sub-Saharan Africa, one out of ten girls do not go to school during their menstrual cycle, with some dropping out of school entirely after getting their first cycle (UN report,2016). Some are forced to stay in the bushes until the last day of menstruation and are purified before returning home. This predisposes them to various health risks since they do not shower, cold chilly nights, risk of being attacked by wild animals and even rape. Basically, in these communities\’ menstruation, a natural and healthy process comes with rules, restrictions, and isolation.

The societal perception that menstruation should be a secret is also a limiting factor. This \’menstrual etiquette\’ encourages discomfort communicating to girls the importance of menstrual health hygiene, hiding from men and boys due to fear or embarrassment on their way to purchase menstrual products. Most girls find it challenging to share their experience, especially the first time they experience this process.
Persons living with disability are highly disadvantaged when it comes to access and use of menstrual products depending on the disability. Those living with a disability or mentally challenged often need help and a lot more care during this period, limiting them from experiencing the process with dignity since their privacy is invaded.

Menstrual Products

Women and girls around the world use various products to help them manage menstrual periods.

Holes on the ground
According to research done by Water Aid, women of the Karamoja region in Uganda dig holes in the ground during their periods and sit on top of the hole to collect blood. In Wajir, Turkana, and Samburu, their girls and women stay outside until their cycle is over.

Goatskin
In some African communities, women use goatskin to trap the blood, which they then wash away privately with cow ghee. They claim that the goatskin skirt works for the whole day and is economical compared to other menstrual products.

Cow Dung
Women and girls from the pastoral communities in Kenya and other African communities collect cow dung from surrounding fields and use a pestle and mortar to grind it down to a fine powder before stuffing it into a pouch which they use to absorb blood. It is a method that has been passed through generations.

Lint Cotton
Lint cotton is the short fibers that cling to the seed after the lint is removed. The cotton can attract insects, is sometimes itches and irritates the skin when used as a menstrual product. Unfortunately, some women and girls in Africa still use this due to a lack of finances to purchase menstrual products.

In western countries, there are a plethora of options for managing menstruation. This is not the same case in underdeveloped and African countries.

Sanitary pad
They are the most commonly used period products. over the decades,
the design of disposable sanitary pads and reusable pads has evolved to a much more comfortable and absorbent nature, with a wide range of suit all flows from light flows to heavy flows.
The downfall of disposable pads is that they are not environmental- friendly. They must be changed after every 4 hours to prevent bacteria growth and odor. This means that they are expensive as one may need a packet or two every month. On the other hand, reusable/washable sanitary towels are much more environmental- friendly and cost-effective as they are reused multiple times.

Tampons
A tampon is used internally by insertion into the vaginal canal. Most users prefer using tampons to pads due to their small nature and are not visible on underwear, and they feel comfortable while sitting. Since they are disposable, they not environmental-friendly neither are they cost-effective.

Some tampon brands and specific materials are linked with Toxic Shock Syndrome. This happens after tampons absorb the vagina\’s lubricant and bacteria in the process of absorbing blood. One is advised to use the lowest absorbency rating possible to suit their menstrual flow.

Menstrual cups
It is a small silicone or latex cup that works by being folded and inserted internally to rest on the vaginal wall, where it collects blood. It takes time to master the correct positioning, and it usually is very comfortable once the technique is mastered. It stays in for up to 12 hours. It is then removed, emptied, rinsed and sterilized in hot water and re-used. They are one of the most eco-friendly and wallet-friendly options. The downside of these cups is that they require a high standard of hygiene to prevent bacterial infections. There have been cases where the cup gets stuck in the vagina if wrongly places and not recommendable for virgin girls.

Menstrual discs
They are made of plastic or silicone, inserted in the vagina, and rests in the base of the cervix. It can stay in for up to12 hours and works by collecting blood in the disc. Most menstrual discs are not re-usable hence not environmental- friendly or cost-effective. They are also a bit complicated to use and not advisable for virgin girls and women.

Period underwear
They look like regular underwear, except they have a special absorbent layer that prevents leakages to clothing and is also washable. They are not the cheapest option. If not well cleaned or dried, one can be at risk of getting bacterial infections. However, they are environmental- friendly since they are reusable.

Despite most people being aware of sanitary towels, most people are not aware of the rest: tampons, discs, cups, and undies. Most insertable products such as menstrual cups and tampons are still considered taboo by most communities and are associated with women\’s purity and virginity. Period products are costly, and some people cannot afford them every month, especially those living below the poverty line. For the reusable pads, women and girls living in areas where water is scarce, e.g. Turkana, some parts of Laikipia, are likely to suffer from bacterial infections due to poor hygiene and reusing uncleaned pads. They also require soap for washing as well as private spaces for drying to prevent contamination. Due to the lack of Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE), most rural communities choose to remain on traditional methods. They are less likely to know hygiene basics, such as how often to change products and the importance of taking a bath using soap and clean water.

 Interventions On Menstrual Health In Kenya

Girl Child Network: -Teacher Training Program;

1. Support transition to puberty and support menstrual health management.
2. Supports girls/ boys health clubs.

Kenyan Ministry of Education: – National Sanitary Towel Programme has been in place since 2010.

1. Provides sanitary towels to school girls.
2. Trains teachers on unhygienic usage and disposal of sanitary towels,
3. Monitors and evaluates impact work.

WaterAid

1. Practical toolkit and education on resources for improving menstrual hygiene around the world.
2. Construction of gender-separated toilets.
3. Menstruation education to address taboos and misinformation.

WASH UNITED

1. Knocking down menstrual taboos in Kenya.
2. A game-based learning approach to menstrual health management education empowers girls to
3. overcome silence, shame and stigma.

Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council

1. Menstrual Hygiene Management
2. Three pillar approach; breaking the silence on taboos, menstrual health management, safe reuse and disposable solutions.
3. Emergency workshops
4. Qualitative and quantitative research on menstrual hygiene.

Steps were taken to create a more supportive environment for menstrual hygiene. They include;
Several key government\’s ministries and NGOs are focused on improving the state of menstrual health education and awareness for adolescent girls: Political support garnered through civil society, parliament, the ministry of education, the prime minister\’s office led the national recognition of the need for puberty education, teacher training, and sanitary pads and allocational of additional funds for the ministry of education to implement the program.
Small and medium-sized products companies seek to provide basic education to girls such as Zana Africa through comic books, booklets, and in-person training. Ministry of Health is currently leading a collaborative process to draft national menstrual hygiene management.

In 2011, government policy allocated 240 million Kenyan shillings annually to provide free sanitary pads to girls in public government schools through the National Sanitary Towel Programme. Unfortunately, private schools do not benefit from this programme and some public schools, especially those in marginalized areas, barely get access to these sanitary towels. In some schools, teachers do not distribute the products to the students, and in some cases, these products do not last for the whole term and holidays.
The Kenyan government removed import duties and value-added sales tax on menstrual hygiene products in 2011.

Private sectors, NGOs, CBOs have also played a significant role in providing sanitary products and creating awareness. Various non-governmental organizations and community-Based Organizations are also playing a big part in combating period poverty countrywide. Some examples of these organizations include Sister speaks, Drawing Dreams initiative, Rays of Mercy Kenya and Inua Dada foundation. In 2016, Speak Up Africa created the \”No Taboo Periods\’\’ a campaign that focuses on ensuring that everyone in society understands the role of menstrual health management in enabling women and girls to reach their full potential.

The issue of menstrual health in Kenya has gained momentum over the past few years, with new supportive policies, an increase in advocacy and awareness, and growth within menstrual products. However, the most vulnerable girls are still not benefitting from these initiatives. Taboos related to menstruation are still common. Menstrual health products remain unaffordable and inaccessible to teenage girls, especially during school holidays or in COVID 19. There is still a lot that needs to be done by reaching out to the marginalized girls.

References

Delaney, J. (1976). The curse: A curse: A cultural history of menstruation. 1st ed.New York: Dutton.

Vastral, L. (2008). Underwraps: A history of menstrual hygiene technology. Latham editor. Lexington Books.

UNICEF. (2009). Guidance-menstrual hygiene-materials.

Women\’s economic well-being has highly been affected since the pandemic in March due to disruption of formal employment and informal income generation. Due to the imposed lockdown as a measure taken by most governments to control the spread of the virus, most companies were forced to shut down either temporarily or permanently. Most employees were laid off, for example, those working in the hospitality service industry such as spas and salons. Most companies reduced employee\’s salary due to low profit.  People were forced to shut down their informal jobs, such as street food vending, second-hand clothes business, and childcare services; most of these jobs are women-dominated. This has greatly affected the income rates, leading to an increase in people living in extreme poverty globally. Research done by UN WOMEN shows that by 2021 the pandemic will push 96 million people into extreme poverty, 47 million women and girls (Aczona, 2020). This means that globally, the number of women living below the poverty line has increased by approximately 435 million worldwide.

The double burden has also been one of a challenge that was escalated by the imposed lockdown. Women faced additional workload since children were not going to schools, and they were also forced to work from home. They met with the burden of balancing full-time childcare, school responsibilities, formal employment, family caregiving. Due to the caregiving roles, women were predisposed to contracting COVID-19 to care for sick family members.

Most countries, especially underdeveloped countries, have recorded high rates of Gender-Based Violence during the pandemic. Sexual violence is at its peak. Women and girls were raped during the lockdown by close relatives and by strangers. In Kenya, teenage pregnancy rates and intimate partner violence rates are alarming. Harmful cultural practices such as child marriages, female genital mutilation was also high.

According to a report by Israeli start-up L1ght up, reports of cyberbullying increased rapidly during the lockdown. The incidences increased by 70% between March and April last year. As schools across the world were closed to stop the spread of the virus, classes were moved online; hence more time online created more opportunities for harassment. Victims of cyber harassment suffer mental health issues, low self-esteem, depression and stress. Research shows that women experience far more sexualized harassment than men.

Victims of Gender-Based Violence are exposed to contracting sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS. Women\’s mental health has also been greatly affected due to drastic changes, lack of finances, marital conflicts, and loss of loved ones. Maternal health care was also greatly affected. For example, it was difficult in Kenya to access transportation to the hospital past curfew hours due to the imposed curfew hours.  Female doctors and nurses have also been predisposed to contracting the virus as they deal with the patients directly.  They and their immediate families are more likely to suffer psychological distress. This includes; depression, stress, fear, anxiety, insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some have succumbed to the virus after contracting it during the line of duty, for example, Dr Doreen Adisa in Kenya.

Persons living with disabilities are at a greater risk of contracting COVID 19. This is due to the barriers to accessing hand washing facilities or performing hand washing tasks due to their impairments. They face challenges in exercising social distancing due to their dependence on caregivers. People living with disabilities, especially women and girls, are at a disproportionate risk of sexual violence during COVID 19 pandemic due to factors such as location, age and type of disability. People with mental impairment are likely to be regarded as \”mad\” once they report an assault. Those with physical impairment cannot run or fight to protect themselves from a perpetrator. During the lockdown, most institutions that support persons with disabilities were forced to close down.

In response to these effects, governments imposed various coping mechanisms, and they include:

• Child protection in response to alarming teen pregnancy rates.

• Awareness-raising on Gender-based violence. This includes the provision of family planning services, guidance and counselling programs.

• Awareness creation on health, hygiene and sanitation. Women taught their children the importance of handwashing and hygiene to ensure their safety.

• Formation of women and youth groups in response to the sex trafficking for sanitary towels helped eradicate period poverty during the lockdown.

• Women came up with creative ways to make money after losing their jobs, for example, beadwork, vlogging (YouTube channels), blogging, online businesses, and marketing. Awareness creation on health, hygiene and sanitation.

• Food assistance programs. For example, the World Food Program increased cash assistance to hundreds of thousands of Kenya\’s urban poor, hardest hit by the pandemic.

The men spoke of social cohesion and the need to act selflessly and responsibly. The women  — who take on the greatest burden of housework, childcare and responsibility for ageing parents — sighed, took a deep breath and got to work.

In the past year, people worldwide have had to rethink the way they work, travel, educate their children, interact with their communities and maintain family ties.

And research has shown that during that weird year of stress, stillness and grief, women’s voices have largely disappeared, even though it is clear that while the long-term impacts of COVID-19 resonate through the whole of society, women have been hit the hardest financially.

How women consume news matters.  Women are citizens and access to accurate, timely news is necessary for their democratic participation. It is also important as a channel to give people information about regulations, services, rights, and protections that affect them directly.

This is true at all times but particularly so during a pandemic when there are extraordinary controls on people’s behaviour and movement, and new advice on how to react to health-related issues. The pandemic has also brought with it new dangers for women: domestic violence and abuse in homes where they often feel trapped with their abuser.

A UN report on the impact of COVID-19 on men and women highlights how it has affected women disproportionately, “forcing a shift in priorities and funding across public and private sectors, with far-reaching effects on the well-being of women and girls”.

The report also warns that women worldwide have been hit harder economically by the crisis and that their lesser access to land and other capital makes it more difficult for them to weather the crisis and bounce back. In other words, there is a real danger of the pandemic leaving women weaker, poorer, and pushing them further out of the political sphere than they were before.

In such a climate it is vital that women have access to news and information that will help them survive and recover. This can be immediate, practical information about, for example, places of refuge and emergency legislation that allows them to leave their home and stay with a friend if they are in danger, even during a lockdown. And it can be broader: news about the efficacy and health impacts of vaccinations, about school closures, and the trustworthiness of politicians.

News, and in particular news organisations, can also serve another more social function: as a source of companionship, solace, identity, and entertainment. Again this is true at all times but it is particularly so with the restrictions necessitated by COVID-19 that have upended so many traditional networks and community spaces.

The first thing to understand is that men and women consume news differently, at different times of the day and in different ways. The traditional print model revolves around the idea of a man reading the paper at the breakfast table, with his wife preparing breakfast, possibly with the radio or television on in the background. Traces of these habits still remain in some countries, and many editors in Latin America, especially in Mexico and Brazil, find that print is still more popular among men, while women use TV and radio more. Overall, however, patterns of use are changing.

Patterns of news consumption are now determined by access to mobile data, broadband, and enabled devices, as well as the commute to work, types of employment, and, crucially, the time available — how women consume news has often been shaped by their domestic responsibilities. Many women also say news is a low priority for them, not something they believe they need in the course of their everyday life, and something that should not supersede other tasks.

News does not provide them with what they need; it provides neither escape nor information they feel they can utilise, and the emotions it invokes are negative. Instead, avoiding the news is often a strategic decision by busy caretakers to narrow their “circle of concern” — the things they have to think about on a daily basis.

It is clear that one of the structural inequalities COVID-19 has increased is women’s “time poverty”. Even before the pandemic, women did nearly three times as much unpaid care and domestic work as men, and in the past year, as schools and nurseries closed, women found themselves trying to juggle yet more responsibilities at home.

Women and news: an overview of audience behaviour in 11 countries, a report published by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, shows that women are more likely to use TV and radio — media that can be consumed while multi-tasking — while men use print and magazines.

Men and women interact with news differently, partly through personal choices and partly in response to the way in which they are treated when they do venture into public debates.

Men often receive more comments directed at their opinions and attitudes, but women who come under attack are likely to change their behaviours and become more wary of expressing opinions publicly. And while men tend to be attacked for what they think, i.e. their arguments and political attitudes, women are attacked more for simply being women.

Data shows that in most countries women are far less likely to read news via Twitter, which can often be a prime site for trolling and harassment, than men.

Percentage of respondents who use Twitter for news

Online harassment towards women uses hyperbole and sexualised language, along with more subtle suggestions that women are somehow lesser beings, undeserving of resources, and less capable than men. This online environment may well explain the differences in how women engage with news, and how they comment and share news with their networks.

Kenyans as a rule are very interested in news. The study showed that the number of both men and women who said they are extremely or very interested in news is higher than in the other countries covered and, significantly, 73 per cent of women said they were very or extremely interested in news — a figure that is much higher than in all the other countries surveyed.

Percentage of respondents extremely or very interested in news

And while women in many countries rely on a trusted friend or relative, or their partner, to tell them the news, passing on the snippets they feel may be interesting or relevant to them, this is especially true in Kenya, where they rely on friends and family rather than news editors to curate their news consumption.

Percentage of respondents who talk with friends about a news story (face to face)

It is worth spending some time looking at just where women do build communities and share, and where they are likely to feel comfortable in the company of others in their network. While men are more likely to be counted as news lovers in most countries, women are still likely to spend vast amounts of time consuming news and information, albeit on different platforms, often those that are linked to their caring responsibilities.

In many countries, a portion of some women’s time is spent on other forums — often ones about parenting — that still play a significant role in how women consume news. While not all women are parents, many still join these sites to participate in a female chat forum.  As a result, many women occasionally consume news through links to the original article but more frequently through summaries and the ensuing debates.

Trust in news is a multi-faceted concept and a quick glance at the data shows that, in most of the countries analysed, women and men are almost equally likely to trust or distrust news. But it is worth looking at the patterns of how people share news, and how much they trust the news they receive through social media and through private messaging apps from their close friends and family.

Percentage of respondents who say they trust the news

There is usually a positive correlation between interpersonal trust, trust in the media, and trust in other institutions.

Wealth and education matter in this area too. A person’s level of education is the strongest sociodemographic predictor of trust in the media, with men and women with lower levels of education trusting news more than those with higher levels of education.

There are some differences between how much men and women trust the news they see on social media and the news they receive through their personal networks, but overall, the trends in the trust in news move in the same direction for both genders.

But what women want from news and crucially, what they are prepared to tolerate, is also changing.

Social media has helped here. Feminists have used new platforms and new activist tools to speak out and organise against sexism and misogyny, sometimes in the news media too. We see this with the #MeToo movement, but also with important specific mobilisations around, for example, #EleNão in Brazil, #ProtestToo in Hong Kong, and many more.

In Kenya this activism comes from Kenyan women’s anger over the country’s high rates of domestic violence and femicide, and the media’s portrayal of victims as somehow complicit in their own deaths has sparked a nationwide conversation about the role of women in newsrooms.

Some recent high-profile murders have acted as lightning rods for the protests. The rape and murder of university student Sharon Otieno in 2018 is a case in point. Much of the media used her case as a hook for writing articles about sugar daddies and female students, much to the fury of women who felt the coverage took away her dignity. Protests also erupted the following year after medical student Ivy Wangechi was murdered by a man who was stalking her and the media spent a disproportionate part of the coverage on her killer’s motivations.

The anger generated a series of social media movements including the Twitter hashtag #TotalShutdownKe and the Counting the Dead project (which keeps a tally of femicide victims) which sprang up and coalesced around the Women’s Day demonstrations. Attention also turned to the dangers faced by women living with abusive partners during lockdown.

This is part of a broader trend where historically disenfranchised populations in many countries are using digital media to work around male-dominated established news media spaces they have long been excluded from. Our audience data shows that women engage with established news media in ways that are sometimes quite different from those in which men engage with news.

The growing number of women-led protest movements against femicide, sexual assault, and online harassment around the world has also created new conversations about who in the newsroom is deciding the agenda and framing the news.

Newsrooms in Kenya are still dominated by men at the higher levels, and while there have been a handful of senior newspaper editors who are women, “Kenyan female journalists have tended to cover the more traditional beats of health, science, and lifestyle”.

This has meant that the news agenda has been decided by men with women portrayed under the male gaze. There is a new generation of female investigative and political reporters who are building up impressive reputations but they frequently find themselves the target of online attacks.

Two respected female news anchors, Lulu Hassan and Kanze Dena, were subjected to an absurd level of trolling in 2017 after they interviewed Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta in a wide-ranging interview that included a few soft questions about football and how he spends his free time. The comments focused on how they were asking silly questions, and were unsuited for political interviews, even though the resulting programme was a hit in terms of ratings with both men and women.

There are some initiatives to serve women audiences, but they tend to be external. The BBC has partnered with many media stations in Africa to create She Word, and The Nation, one of Kenya’s main newspapers, has a donor-funded gender desk. These initiatives have created space for news aimed at women, often by women, but they are generally seen as separate from the main news desk and their existence has little impact on the wider culture of Kenyan newsrooms.

Many media organisations are struggling to remain relevant to their readers and crucially, to persuade people to pay for journalism. Women are the great untapped potential here — a large, invested group of potential readers and viewers who want information that is relevant to their lives and those of their families and communities. In order to survive, journalism and journalists need to recognise this fact and change their message accordingly.

Source: https://www.theelephant.info/data-stories/2021/01/29/journalism-and-the-second-sex/

What is UNFOLD?

UNFOLD is a platform that allows people to come on board and share their life experiences and journey For God\’s glory. Our main aim is to inspire, encourage, educate and create awareness. We believe that life is an unfolding narrative; therefore, there is a story to tell in every chapter. Both Young and old are welcomed.

What inspired you to start UNFOLD?

The aftermath of speaking out is the beginning of healing. God has been faithful to me. I realized many people come and open up to me. My advice would at least encourage someone. I love positive vibes. I then decided to create a platform where thousands would feel free to come to share their stories. Through that, lives have been transformed. I find fulfilment when hosting individuals who are more than willing to let the world know that God is faithful.

What has your journey been like so far with UNFOLD?

The word is INCREDIBLE!!!! I experience God\’s favour on a whole other level. Of course, the journey is not that easy; we fasten our seatbelt and move regardless. I am content and happy. God has blessed me with a very supportive team. From family, workmates to Friends. It feels good to sit in that magical seat at the forefront of authentic stories that break the silence about Kenya\’s stigmatized topics.

Have you ever been discouraged or felt that you would not make it?

Oh, my goodness!!! A million times. It Is so difficult to start something, but once you take a step of faith, that is it!!! My pillar has been GOD. I run to him whenever I feel discouraged. I have had times I felt nothing is working out at all. I have cried, had conversations with myself, doubted myself and asked God why!! But somehow God renews my strength. I have learnt to fix my sleeves and accept that the road will never be smooth. Obstacles are there to make you stronger!! Everything happens for a reason and guess what! For your Good.

What are the main challenges you face when telling stories on UNFOLD?

Finances: UNFOLD on its own I see it as a huge platform. Therefore, we put so much energy and time in it. We go the extra mile. This means money is needed—a good amount of money. The struggle is real, but somehow, we still manage.

Technical Difficulties: Some videos have not made it to YouTube due to technical difficulties.

Willing Individuals: It is hard for so many people to open up because of the fear of being judged. So, finding People Who are ready to be seen and confidently share their stories is something that is not easy at all.

What advice would give anyone trying to venture into their passion?

GO FOR IT!!!! THE TIME IS NOW. YOU NEED TO BIRTH THAT POTENTIAL GOD HAS

PLACED IN YOU!!! Do not look at the circumstances around you but instead use what you have. You have a purpose!!! You can take your vision, build it into something remarkable and reach heights you never imagined!!!

What has been your significant lessons since you started UNFOLD?

Patience is key. Do not rush God. He knows what is convenient for you and when and he will do exceedingly.

Everyone has a story. You cannot tell until you hear it. Many people are going through a lot, but your Ishmael mistake cannot disqualify you from your Isaac Promise.

Be Kind. Everyone is struggling with something. Be a blessing.

God will put you in the wilderness to mould you for the promised land. TRUST THE PROCESS.

What has been your most outstanding achievements?

I AM A BRAND!!!!

THAT SAYS IT ALL, AND I AM SUPER PROUD OF MYSELF.

I am taking UNFOLD to the Next Level. I am looking forward to creating employment.

Every wound there is a scar, and in every scar, there is a story. A story that says ‘I SURVIVED\’ What is your story?

Hildah Lumati

The Acts 26:16 ’Now get up and stand on
your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness
of what you have seen and will see of me.