In celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, Polycom Girls together with Womankind Worldwide, is proud to announce the launch of Siri Ya Mwezi comic book under #MyPeriodt! Campaign. The comic book is designed to foster a supportive and inclusive dialogue around menstrual health and the need for integration of menstrual health education into school curriculum. It further  educates adolescents, communities, health providers, stakeholders, and policymakers about the significance of menstrual health through a creative and relatable format.

This initiative is driven by the urgent need for menstrual equity and the removal of barriers that prevent girls from fully participating in educational and social opportunities during their menstrual cycle.

Takeaways

• Polycom Girls and Womankind Worldwide have partnered with Abigail Arunga, a feminist writer and Nzilani Simu, a feminist artist and illustrator to create and launch a comic book: #MyPeriodt! targeting adolescent girls
• The comic book is available in two official languages of Kenya: Swahili and English with audio copies downloadable on this page.
• This is a collaboration with adolescent girls from Kibera informal settlements who’ve shared their experiences with period health educating parents, the community, teachers, young women and girls on the right to a dignified period journey.

Through the eyes of our young heroine, Hakima, we embark on a journey that not only challenges long-standing taboos but also celebrates the courage it takes to ask questions, seek answers, and stand tall in the face of stigma.

This comic book is more than just a story. It’s a call to action for every girl, parent, teacher, and community member to foster open conversations about menstrual health and to support the idea that periods are not a source of shame but a symbol of growth and strength. Through this journey, we hope you find inspiration, empowerment and the courage to pass on these messages of dignity and equality to others.

As you turn each page, we encourage you to see the strength in vulnerability, the beauty in curiosity, and the immense power in knowledge. Together, we can create a world where every girl feels proud, supported, and unafraid to take her place in the world. Let’s break the silence. Let’s end the stigma. And most importantly,let’s embrace the truth that your period is just a period— nothing more, nothing less. #MyPeriodt!

With gratitude and hope,

Vincent Muinde & Yvonne Ndirangu
Editors, Siri ya Mwezi

The comic book follows the story of Hakima, a young girl who starts school in a new community and experiences her first interaction with menstruation education. The narrative is set against the backdrop of a typical Kenyan school, where students and teachers address menstrual health issues with varying degrees of openness. Through Hakima’s questions and experiences, the story challenges long-standing taboos surrounding menstruation, emphasising the diverse ways in which teachers, students and parents interact with periods differently. 

One key moment in the story sees Hakima question why boys are not involved in menstrual health education, sparking a conversation about inclusivity and shared understanding. This narrative choice reflects the real-world need for boys and men to be part of the conversation around menstrual health, thus helping to eliminate stigma and promote a supportive environment for girls.

The launch of Siri ya Mwezi comes at a crucial time when addressing period poverty and menstrual health is recognised as a key factor in achieving gender equality. Polycom Girls and Womankind Worldwide urge policymakers, educators, health providers and community leaders to prioritize menstrual health management by improving access to affordable sanitary products, enhancing school sanitation facilities and integrating comprehensive menstrual education into school curriculums.

This initiative will not only improve school attendance for girls but also contribute to the overall well-being of women and girls across the country. The comic book is a step toward creating an environment where menstruation is viewed as a natural part of life, free from shame and discrimination.

• Promoting accurate and accessible information about menstruation can help change negative period narratives and empower girls with knowledge about menstruation and its management.
• Fostering open community dialogues to dismantle period shame and stigma, will help to combat any myths and misconceptions about periods and avoid the dangers of spreading false information.
• The government, policy makers and the private sector should enforce the removal of taxation of menstrual products which impose an economic burden on period product users.

As Womankind Worldwide our feminist standpoint is explicitly political and non-negotiable and underpins our solidarity with all women and girls. We believe the conversations sparked by this comic book will catalyse a transformative shift in menstrual health and reproductive rights for young women and girls in Kenya,’’ said Diana Njuguna, Co-CEO, Womankind Worldwide.

Menstruation should never be a barrier to a girl’s ambitions/ aspirations, yet this is the reality for Girls in various communities.  The stigma, shame and lack of access to basic sanitary products keeps them from living in dignity. With this comic book, we are breaking that silence and standing in solidarity with every girl who has ever felt less because of the injustice that unfairly comes with her period. Together with Womankind Worldwide, we are not just telling stories – we are creating a movement for dignity, equality and a future where no girl is left behind because of something as natural as her period. This is more than a campaign; it is a declaration that every girl’s right to dignity, education, health and self-worth is non-negotiable. – Anne Agar, Polycom Girls,  Managing Director.