Kenya (Commonwealth Union)_How often have we been silenced with stern glares when we mention menstruations in public, or how often have we been hurriedly shushed when a man walks in on a conversation about periods. The count is endless, and even though periods is one of the most natural occurrences to a female, it is a topic often swept under the rug, and categorised as taboo.
The year 2022 saw a lot of open discussions about female health, with many conversations on periods, and while this is a step further and a milestone to celebrate, there is still a lot of stigma attached to the topic. While we celebrate revolutionary women who changed the game in the year 2022, one name to be etched into the list is definitely Farah Ahamed. A human rights lawyer, and a proud period advocate channelling her energy towards uplifting women by spreading awareness on the importance of period health. Her groundbreaking anthology “Period Matters” is an amalgamation of perspectives providing in depth insight into how menstruation is perceived and experienced in the South Asian community.
Ahamed, of Kenyan origin is a celebrated writer with her work attaining recognition on multiple renowned platforms. Her stories have been shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize (2022), The Primadonna Festival Writing Award (2019), and the Canadian CBC Books Short Story Award (2018). Many of her literary journals have also been published.
Together with her sister, Ahamed runs the “Panties with Purpose” awareness campaign in Kenya, in order to educate people about the importance of menstrual hygiene. Since its inception in 2011, the non-profit organization has succeeded in distributing underpants to over 12,000 girls in Kenya.
Her work is an inspirational ode to women empowerment, with a foundation to open doors leading towards female health and menstrual hygiene.
