Reach for the Stars:
After empowering the girls at Michelle Winners High School with knowledge on menstrual health and hygiene (MHH), we decided to widen the circle. This time, we invited the boys into the conversation. Why? Because breaking the stigma around menstruation requires everyone at the table—not just the girls affected by it.
When boys engage in menstrual health discussions, we don’t just challenge outdated beliefs—we create allies. Allies who understand, respect, and support their peers. And what unfolded during this session was both eye-opening and heartwarming.
When Curiosity Meets Conversation
We opened with a simple question: “What is menstruation?”
Their responses caught us off guard—and then made us laugh.
“Majonte!” one boy shouted.
“Mabrayo!” echoed another, triggering a wave of laughter across the room.
“That’s the slang we use,” one explained, grinning.
Intrigued, we asked why their slang included male names like Jonte and Brayo. The answer revealed more than we expected. They shared that girls often use the term “Masahiru,” inspired by the Kikuyu name Wanjiru. So, in response, the boys created their own version—giving menstruation a masculine identity they could talk about without discomfort.
That light moment spoke volumes. Even their language around menstruation carried subtle gender divides. So, we leaned into it—not with judgment, but with curiosity and education.
Deconstructing Period Narratives
We shifted the conversation from slang to science. We explained menstruation as a natural biological process—the body’s way of shedding the uterine lining, typically every month. We introduced various menstrual products—pads, tampons, menstrual cups, and reusable cloth pads.
Expecting silence, we were surprised to hear some boys not only recognize different pad brands but also quote their prices.
When we asked, “Would you buy pads for your sister, friend, or mother?” The responses were candid.
“I would just give her the money,” one admitted, a bit hesitant.
“I have bought pads for my sister before, so this would not be anything new for me.” another offered, proud and confident.
One of the boys noted that there are many brands of sanitary pads and asked if they all worked the same. To address this, we demonstrated and explained how each menstrual product worked. We then asked those hesitant to buy pads what was holding them back.
One boy responded, “Hizo ni mambo za madam,” translating to, “Those are female issues.”
That comment revealed just how deeply these beliefs run—and reminded us why it’s so crucial to include boys in conversations about periods. Menstrual health isn’t just a women’s issue. It affects families, communities, and society at large. If we want to end the stigma, we need everyone—boys and girls, men and women—at the table.
Demystifying Myths
In the second half of our session, we launched into a “Facts vs. Myths” activity. We asked the boys to separate truth from common misconceptions.
Can girls play sports or do chores during their periods?
Most of them said no.
We proceeded to explain that menstruation is not a limitation—girls and women can engage in physical activities as long as they are comfortable.
Then came a hesitant question.
“What about swimming? Won’t it discolor the water?”
This gave us the opportunity to highlight that menstrual products, like the menstrual cup and tampons, are safe and don’t leak when swimming.
Following this, we asked if period blood was considered ‘dirty blood’. Some said ‘yes’, mentioning that girls sometimes smell during their periods. We leaned into this moment of vulnerability to explain that odor is often caused by wearing the same product for too long. Proper hygiene, including regular changing of pads, makes a huge difference.
We tackled more questions – peeling back the layers of misinformation. What emerged was not just new knowledge, but a noticeable shift in perspective.
Shift in Mindset
As we concluded the session, we gauged the shift in mindset by asking the boys what they would do if their female classmate dropped a pad in class.
Without hesitation, the room echoed with one response:
“Pick it up and give it to her!”
That answer—simple, respectful, and unanimous—felt like a breakthrough.
We closed by encouraging the boys to become menstrual champions. To stand up for their classmates. To speak out when they hear shaming or misinformation in order to create a supportive environment that is not gender bound.
Become a Menstrual Champion
This session was more than a lesson. It was a shift. A reminder that boys are not just capable of having these conversations—they want to have them. They just need the space and the guidance.
We are committed to bringing menstrual education to more schools and communities. You can be part of that mission.
Support by donating sanitary pads or contributing Ksh 1,680 (13 USD). Every contribution helps us build a world where no girl feels ashamed of her period—and every boy stands beside her, informed and supportive.
