This article is written by Mukanda Maombola executive assistant at the Open Institute, Nairobi Kenya.

A lot of changes have been made in light of the pandemic. Remote working was implemented and all sorts of virtual meeting platforms cropped up. Businesses pivoted with most of them adopting the digital way as a means of cushioning the effects of the pandemic.

We’ve seen these changes in every facet of our lives and with the numbers on a decline here in Kenya where I live, life is slowly going back to normal.

But there’s one thing the pandemic didn’t change: when lockdown began, companies and public institutions didn’t provide sanitary towels for their employees, and now that we are all returning that is still the case.

In a society whereby organisations have openly changed their policy in regards to gender and identification, sanitary towels should not be a point of discussion. Sanitary towels should not only be availed at work but organisations should ensure that employees are sensitised enough on the issue

Employers need to start providing period products in the workplace as part of their diversity strategy. Just like water dispensers, period dispensers are just as important. If you’re thinking “why should employers be responsible for this amenity, can’t women just buy it themselves?” then I hope you’ll stick around for a few minutes as I explain why.

If we can solve problems for millions, is there really a reason not to?

350 million women around the globe, have their periods on any given day. Despite this, sanitary towels are the least thought of item at the workplace.

This is also fuelled by the fact that many women cannot access them in a normal situation let alone in case of an emergency. Take my case for example. I was recently busy working on a report which was due in a few minutes.

This timeline would coincide with a meeting with a top director in the office. I suddenly felt mild wetness. I ignored this as my irregular periods were not to show up, at least not for another two days. The wetness went from mild to severe in a few minutes. I quickly ran into panic mode. This panic is not because of the periods, but the inability to access a sanitary towel when I really needed one.

Discreet and convenient menstrual waste disposal goes hand in hand with providing sanitary towels in the workplace. You cannot provide one and leave out the other, it’s a package

I walked to a fellow female colleague’s desk only to find that she lacked one. This would turn out to be a very emotional and draining day, just because I lacked a pad. Seems basic doesn’t it?

In a society whereby organisations have openly changed their policy in regards to gender and identification, sanitary towels should not be a point of discussion. Sanitary towels should not only be availed at work but organisations should ensure that employees are sensitised enough on the issue.

Let’s normalise periods

Women should not feel weird or ashamed because of a basic and natural bodily function. Progress can only happen when conversations around menses are had in the workplace. And these conversations should include men. After all, they are part of the workforce, right?

When a sanitary towel dispenser is put up in the office with the same sense of normalcy as were it just another water dispenser, it will not only spread awareness but also boost the confidence of the women at work. It will also save women from fear and the stigma that is period related.

“Women fear being seen as weak in the workplace, so say nothing about menstruation and any issues they might be having, tacitly reinforcing a view that we are less capable during our time of the month.” — Emma Barnett, in her book Period:

Discreet and convenient menstrual waste disposal goes hand in hand with providing sanitary towels in the workplace. You cannot provide one and leave out the other, it’s a package.

Ok, I hear you, you are not aware of the preferred sanitary towel brands of your employees. Inquire! This is The conversation about periods is no longer hushed, hence one can easily ask the women at work to come up with two or more preferred brands that the organisation can purchase. Case closed.

To anyone who considers themselves a powerhouse in women empowerment, please take up this mantle, as it is in dire need.

To cut the long story short, we are women who menstruate and are part of the workforce. Cater to us. — Mukanda Maombola

We want to hear what you think about this article. Pitch an article to us or send your comments to hello@apolitical.co

(Picture credit: Unsplash)

Make sure to share your own thoughts with the author by leaving a comment below