It was meant to reduce period shame: Passaris on why she put her photo on menstrual hygiene products

It was meant to reduce period shame: Passaris on why she put her photo on menstrual hygiene products

Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris is on the receiving end of criticism online after she posted pictures of menstrual hygiene products with her face on the packets.

According to Passaris, the photo was meant for ‘her’ girls in the informal settlement.

“Trust me they are happy to have the picture and the message from their leader and mentor. The mere fact that I can stick my picture on a sanitary towel packet helps reduce period shame and stigma. Many will cut it out and keep it,” she said on Twitter.

Passaris was responding to one Jane Kyallo who had tweeted: “Good gesture ma’am… I have to recognize your effort in helping the poor, women and PWDs… But you are way too loud, your picture is not necessary in this case.”

The Woman Rep had shared photos of the menstrual health products on her social media pages saying 900 cartons of the quality items were dispatched for girls in Nairobi County.

She said girls should experience their menstruation in dignity and free of shame.

Passaris also averred that no one should choose between having to buy a sanitary pad or a meal.

However, Jane retorted saying: “I get your point and provided that it has a positive impact then I have no problem. The problem comes in where you have to convince people that you are not using this to popularize yourself and what you are doing for your benefit.”

Others who castigated the Nairobi Woman Rep opined that she should not have put her picture on the menstrual hygiene products because they are from her office and not a personal donation.

“Its donated thru yr office not by u….why your pic…yr position is temporary but the donation should not be associated with u but yr office…next time think long term,” Sital Chandaria said.

“Good job but remember Jack Ma never put his photo or names to donations for covid 19 in kenya its the order of the day to campaign at very opportunity,” Korir Kipkurui Vincent said.

Moses Isutsa added: “Yes you’ve done something. We appreciate. My Bible tells me that when giving, give in secret such that one hand shouldn’t know what the other hand has given.”

“A very good initiative. Your picture was not warranted though. Tenda wema nenda zako,” Raquel Diana said on Twitter.

Elijah Wangari further lamented: “Kitu inatuuma ni eti anatumia dooh yetu, kufanya kazi tulimchagua afanye, na bado anatuonyesha eti ni favour anatufanyia.”

There were however a few Kenyans on Twitter who did not have a problem with the photograph of the Woman Rep on the pads.

“Kwani wewe ni picture ulikuwa unaenda kutumia, we have molfix with TerryAnne chebet photo and Size 8 on softcare, Cha muhimu ni what’s inside,” Odit Collins said.

 

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