Kenyan comedian Dem Wa Facebook has made a passionate appeal to the government to make sanitary pads freely available in women's public toilets. This call to action was made during media personality Natalie Githinji's Endometriosis Warriors awareness event at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi on September 27, 2026. Dem Wa Facebook suggested that sanitary pads could be provided in public washrooms, similar to condoms in some public spaces, to help women in need.
Dem Wa Facebook emphasized that the initiative would support women who unexpectedly need menstrual products while away from home and girls who cannot consistently afford sanitary pads. She noted that women should also benefit from free sanitary products provided in public facilities, just like condoms. According to Dem Wa Facebook, "When you go to the washrooms, most of the time you find that they have put condoms there, so even us women, we are asking the government to accompany those condoms with pads also, to help women who can't afford."
The comedian also stressed the need for increased support for menstrual health programs, particularly in rural areas where some girls face difficulties accessing sanitary products. Limited access to these products can force women and girls to rely on unsuitable alternatives, potentially compromising menstrual hygiene. Dem Wa Facebook's proposal comes amid broader discussions about menstrual health, affordability, and access to sanitary products for women and girls across Kenya.
Dem Wa Facebook has previously spoken about her own experience with unusually painful periods, which prompted her to seek medical attention. She recalled episodes of intense pain that made it difficult for her to move around her home and carry out normal activities. This experience led her to question whether the severity of her symptoms indicated an underlying health problem, as the pain felt different from what she considered normal menstrual discomfort.
Following a medical assessment, Dem Wa Facebook was diagnosed with a hormonal imbalance, not a serious underlying condition. She was prescribed medication, which helped reduce the severity of her period pain. Her experience has since influenced her advocacy for women's health and the challenges faced by women dealing with painful menstruation.
At the Endometriosis Warriors event, Dem Wa Facebook joined other entertainers, women, and supporters to draw attention to health challenges affecting women. The event brought together women living with endometriosis, celebrities, musicians, dancers, and other supporters for conversations around the condition and broader issues affecting women's health.
For Dem Wa Facebook, improving access to sanitary products is part of a wider need to ensure menstrual health support reaches women regardless of their financial circumstances or where they live. Her call for action aims to spark a conversation about the importance of menstrual health and the need for collective support to address the challenges faced by women and girls in Kenya.
Key points
- Dem Wa Facebook calls on the Kenyan government to provide free sanitary pads in women's public toilets.
- The comedian aims to support girls and women struggling to afford menstrual products.
- Dem Wa Facebook's proposal is part of a broader discussion about menstrual health, affordability, and access to sanitary products in Kenya.
