Kenyan comedian and social media influencer Dem Wa Facebook has called on the government to make sanitary pads freely available in women’s public toilets to help girls and women who cannot afford menstrual products.
“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 as well, to help women who can’t afford,” Dem Wa Facebook said.
She stated the struggle many women and girls face when they cannot afford sanitary products, sharing her own experience with menstrual challenges. She called for more support for women’s health programme, especially in rural areas.
She recalled moments when she struggled to navigate around, saying some experiences may be underlying to health problems, while others consider it normal menstrual discomfort.
Beyond her advocacy, Dem Wa Facebook took steps in early 2025 by donating sanitary towels and mentoring students on menstrual hygiene, talent development and entrepreneurship.
Her campaign for free pads amplifies the gender rights, public health and social justice in the community, as many women encounter challenges in accessing the products, which are not affordable for everyone.