Janet Mbugua speaks on struggles of activism and slow progress
Media personality and philanthropist Janet Mbugua has shared the challenges of activism in Kenya, describing the process as slow, exhausting, and often discouraging.
In a video shared via her Instagram page on Sunday, May 4, 2025, Janet opened up about the mental and emotional strain that comes with advocating for change in a system that is often unresponsive.
The seasoned journalist expressed her frustrations with the state of progress, saying that despite the continued efforts by activists to raise awareness, show up, and push for change, the system remains resistant.
“Some days, advocacy feels like screaming into the void. We push, speak up, show up…but the system stays resistant, and progress comes in crumbs. Then comes blow after blow, more affronts to basic rights. We should be so much further ahead by now. In this video, I exhale,” she shared.
Adding;
“I reflect on the need to amplify the right conversations, while tending to the deep exhaustion that comes with sustained activism. (WHY are we still having to justify an end to period poverty and stigma???”
Progress, she said, comes in small portions, and activists are often met with setbacks and new obstacles, especially when fighting for basic rights.
Janet, who has long been at the forefront of the fight against period poverty and menstrual stigma, questioned why such issues still need to be justified. She expressed deep disappointment that conversations around dignity, health, and equity continue to be ignored or delayed in a country that should have made more progress by now.
In her message, she also talked about the burnout that comes with sustained advocacy. She acknowledged the emotional fatigue of constantly having to fight for visibility, for a voice, and for fair treatment, especially for women and girls whose needs are often sidelined.
Despite the exhaustion, the media personality emphasised the importance of pressing on. She expressed admiration for the younger generation, especially Gen Z, who have recently taken a strong stand during movements such as the #RejectFinanceBill protests.
She called this moment in time one of the most crucial yet, powered by a generation that is unafraid to demand change.
“It’s exhausting to keep fighting just to be seen, heard, and treated as more than secondary citizens, especially in matters of health, dignity, and equity. And yet we press on. Because this moment, this relay, led powerfully by Gen Z as seen during the #RejectFinanceBill protests, is one of the most critical yet,” Janet Mbugua added.
Activism
The celebrated journalist is a leading advocate for menstrual health, gender equality, and social justice. Her activism was ignited by a 2013 news feature titled “Period of Shame,” which exposed the dire conditions faced by schoolgirls in Baringo County who resorted to using chicken feathers and goat hide during menstruation due to a lack of access to sanitary products.
This revelation spurred Mbugua to establish the Inua Dada Foundation, aimed at combating period poverty and addressing related gender-based challenges.
The Inua Dada Foundation has since become a cornerstone in the fight against menstrual stigma and inequality in Kenya. In 2021, the foundation was honoured with the Excellence and Innovation in Sexuality Education Award by the World Association for Sexual Health, recognising its efforts in fostering inclusive conversations around sexual health.
Initiatives like the #InuaDadaVoices program train young people in digital advocacy to address social injustices, including gender-based violence.
In 2024, Mbugua took a stance against the Finance Bill 2024, which many citizens believed would exacerbate economic hardships. She utilised her platforms to voice strong opposition, emphasising the bill’s potential to increase inequality and burden the populace.
