NAIROBI –ON OCTOBER 8, 2021: The Inua Dada Foundation is honored to launch The Inua Dada Center, in Korogocho, Nairobi.
From the inception of Inua Dada, the foundation seeks to amplify and intervene in matters regarding Menstrual Inequality, Gender Equality, and fighting Gender-Based Violence(GBV). Over the last few years, through the distribution of Dignity Kits, publishing ‘My First Time’ (a first of its kind in the region, which seeks to address period stigma and policy), and now through the Inua Dada Centre, the foundation is providing safe spaces, both on the digital front on the ground, to create awareness in social justice issues, access to reproductive health and rights information, psychosocial support for survivors of GBV and support for teen mothers, uplifting the community one girl at a time.
“I hold the firm belief that when everyone is included, everyone wins and this is the only way we can ensure that gender equity and economic empowerment programs continue being prioritized across the social and political spectrum. Spaces like the one in Korogocho should exist everywhere, because they offer a chance for people to gain knowledge and access, allowing them a fair chance to thrive. A core element of the work we have slowly begun carrying out is a focus on public speaking, which allows for people to articulate their issues and demand their rights. In many ways, the worlds of advocacy, access, agency, and amplification come alive through the centre and on to our platforms, at Inua Dada” says Janet Mbugua, Founder of the Inua Dada Foundation.
With the mission to create a supportive and accessible environment primarily for school girls, as well as women in Kenya, the organization has been able to empower thousands of girls and women over the years and held various media and advocacy events that have reached thousands in Kenya and beyond. “Even the best cooking pot cannot produce food without the effort of the cook. Community members must be enabled, through gender-sensitive interventions to meaningfully participate in the process of policy development and implementation. #LeaveNoOneBehind #TheMarchContinues’’ Says Dr. Ademola Olajide, United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) Representative for Kenya.
Inua Dada Foundation is largely advocacy driven and has introduced the #InuaDadaVoices, a program that is also part of the global Generation Equality Forum, which works with young people in training them on digital advocacy in addressing social injustices such as GBV. The Inua Dada Centres, In Korogocho Informal Settlement, and in Mombasa are working with women and girls from informal settlements, providing psycho-social support and access to information and products linked to Menstrual Health Management.
In 2020, Janet released her first book, ‘My First Time’, a collection of short stories from women, girls, and men on their first interaction with menstruation. Globally, half a billion women and girls lack access to menstrual products, widening the Gender Equality gap. A book is a tool for a much-needed conversation around sexual and reproductive health and rights and a tool to influence policy change around Menstrual Hygiene and Management.
“There is a lot of work that remains to be done and the center addresses aspects of this. We would like to double our efforts on the digital front and on-ground through the center, reaching close to 5,000 girls and women by mid-2022 and 10 million on our digital footprint,” adds Janet Mbugua.
As The Inua Dada Korogocho Center launches, Ms H.E Nadia Abdalla, Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of ICT, advises young people out there to not ever doubt themselves. They have so much to offer to the community, what they need to do is to look deep inside and focus on themself and be unapologetic about what they want for themselves.
For media enquiries and information about the launch please contact;
Ms Diana Ashley | +254 735 683 953 | missashleydiana@gmail.com
Ms Gemiene Mueni | + 254 703 100 697| info@inuadadafoundation.org
ABOUT THE INUA DADA FOUNDATION
The Inua Dada Foundation has amplified and intervened in matters regarding Menstrual Inequality, Gender Equality, and fighting Gender-Based Violence. Over the last few years, through the distribution of Dignity Kits, publishing My First Time (a first of its kind in the region, which seeks to address period stigma and policy), and now through the Inua Dada Centre, the foundation is providing spaces, both on the digital front on ground, to create awareness in social justice issues, access to reproductive health and rights information, psychosocial support for survivors of GBV and support for teen mums, uplifting the community one girl at a time.
ABOUT JANET MBUGUA
Janet Mbugua is the founder of the Inua Dada Foundation, Kenyan Media Personality and Gender Equality Advocate with a focus on Menstrual Equality. She is a TV Host with experience as a News Anchor, Reporter, and Producer both in her country, Kenya, and in South Africa. Her experience in Broadcast has seen her cover the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the 2007 and 2013 Kenya elections, and the 2012 U.S Elections. Some of her achievements include:
● Inua Dada Foundation Winner of the World Association for Sexual Health Innovation in Education Award, 2021.
● Moderator for the Generation Equality Forum 2021, one of the few Kenyans participating in this capacity, globally.
● Moderator for the 76th UN General Assembly
● Being named as part of the International Gender Champions group in 2021
● MC/ Moderator for the opening and closing ceremony of the International Conference 2019 on Planning and Development (ICPD25) Summit 2019
● Top 25 Women In Digital Media in Kenya, in 2018
● Top 3 best News Anchors in Kenya by the Media Council of Kenya
● Recipient of the Top 40 Under 40 Award by Business Daily Africa
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