The Gen Z who's rewriting Narok's rules about women's bodies
Bilha Joy Awuor, a social worker in Narok County. Her work includes empowering young girls, teen mothers and women on how to manage their menstrual health and foster a sense of dignity.
What you need to know:
- Bilha Joy Awuor is tackling period poverty in rural Narok County by breaking cultural taboos around menstruation through community engagement and education.
- Her innovative approach includes involving men in conversations about menstrual health and conducting roundtable discussions with girls and women to understand their specific needs.
In the rural communities of Narok County, conversations about menstruation have long been shrouded in silence and shame. But Bilha Joy Awuor is changing that narrative, one community at a time.
"In community work, I don't wait for patients to come to me; I go directly to where the challenges are. Together, we identify potential solutions to those problems," says the 28-year-old community development advocate, whose passionate commitment to tackling period poverty is transforming the lives of young women across rural Kenya.
Growing up in Kisumu, Bilha witnessed first-hand the struggles many girls and women face in accessing basic menstrual hygiene products. It was an experience that would profoundly shape her future path, though she didn't know it at the time.
Like many children, her early aspirations shifted and evolved with each passing day.
"I wanted to do many things. It's normal for any child to visualise various careers, but those dreams often change depending on how you feel each day and exposure. It's a funny reality until you reach that stage of self-realisation," she reflects.
That moment of clarity came after completing her secondary education. Initially drawn to nursing—wanting to "pour my heart out through service to the sick"—her path took an unexpected turn towards community development. In 2018, she graduated from Maasai Mara University with a degree in Community Development, setting the stage for the impactful work that would define her career.
While her journey didn't lead to the medical field as originally planned, Bilha has found immense fulfilment in her current role. The essence of service she sought in nursing has manifested in a different, yet equally powerful way.
When she decided to focus her efforts on addressing period poverty in rural Narok County, she knew the challenges ahead would be formidable.
"This experience profoundly shaped my focus on tackling period poverty, especially among adolescent girls and teenage mothers," she explains.
The cultural stigma surrounding menstruation presented perhaps the greatest obstacle.
"One of the most significant challenges is the cultural stigma surrounding menstruation, which often leads to silence and misinformation," Bilha notes. This stigma, she discovered, prevents open discussions and hinders efforts to educate young women about menstrual health.
Health and dignity
Beyond cultural barriers, there's the harsh reality of economics. The lack of access to affordable menstrual products forces many young women to resort to unhygienic substitutes, compromising both their health and dignity.
Her strategy for addressing these deep-rooted challenges centres on community engagement and education. She works closely with local leaders and schools to foster open dialogues about menstrual health—conversations that were previously considered taboo.
"To counter these challenges, I focus on community engagement and education, working with local leaders and schools to foster open dialogues about menstrual health," she says.
But her approach goes beyond traditional advocacy. She firmly believes that "access to menstrual products is not just a necessity but a fundamental right essential for maintaining dignity and health." For her, this work encompasses the broader spectrum of social work—advocating for access to menstrual hygiene products and education whilst empowering communities to create sustainable solutions.
"Menstrual hygiene is critical for these young women to participate fully in their education and daily lives," she emphasises, highlighting how period poverty can derail educational opportunities and limit life prospects.
One of Bilha's most ambitious goals involves expanding the conversation beyond traditional boundaries. She's determined to involve more men, particularly younger age groups, in her outreach programs—recognising that lasting change requires community-wide buy-in.
"It has also been a bit different because we decided to listen more through roundtable conversations with the girls and women we serve. This has given us not only a breakdown of the real period poverty on the ground but also what specific needs they have to prioritise collaborative and sustainable solutions to solve them," she explains.
This listening-first approach has revolutionised her understanding of the challenges faced by the communities she serves, allowing for more targeted and effective interventions.
After two to three years of dedicated work, Bilha has seen the tangible impact of her efforts. "The most exciting aspect of working to tackle period poverty among teenage girls in rural Kenya is witnessing the transformative impact on the lives of young women," she says with evident pride.
"Over the past two to three years, I've seen first-hand how access to menstrual hygiene products and education can empower these groups, allowing them to attend school consistently and participate fully in their communities."
The changes extend beyond practical access to products. She observes that "the shift in confidence and self-esteem is rewarding as they gain control over their menstrual health." The ripple effects are profound—as these young women reclaim their dignity and educational opportunities, they're better positioned to break cycles of poverty and create brighter futures for themselves and their children.
Young mothers
The fuel for Bilha's unwavering commitment comes from an unexpected source—the communities she serves. Her inspiration, she says, comes from "the resilience and strength of young mothers I have encountered—women who, despite facing numerous challenges, remain determined to provide a better future for themselves and their children."
"I have always been motivated by the desire to make a difference," she adds, a simple statement that encapsulates the driving force behind her work.
Through her holistic approach—"empowering girls and women through holistic education and access to resources, helping them manage their periods with dignity"—she is not just addressing immediate needs but building foundations for lasting change.
The work involves collaboration with stakeholders, including schools, healthcare providers, and local leaders, to implement sustainable solutions. As she notes, the focus extends to "empowering these groups by providing them with the knowledge and resources needed to manage their menstrual health effectively."
Bilha's dedication continues to inspire those around her. Her work ensures young women can continue their education and participate fully in society without the stigma or interruption caused by lack of access to menstrual products.
For her, this work represents something fundamental: "fostering dignity, equality, and opportunity for teenage mothers and adolescents facing period poverty."
As she looks to the future, Bilha remains optimistic. "I remain hopeful that with the right support and resources, I will achieve some change," she says.