Bold new you: How Viya Health Kenya is helping women reclaim their bodies

In a world where women's sexual and reproductive health remains shrouded in stigma, shame and misinformation, many important questions often go unasked.

Questions like: What should a woman experience during sex? Is the contraception method that I am using affecting my sexual desire? Can I have sex while on my period or if I am pregnant? Is there something wrong with my vagina? What is sexual pleasure supposed to feel like? And, how do I talk to my partner about my sexual needs and desires?

These questions may seem personal and sensitive, but they are important.  The only way to normalize women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is to freely talk about it.

Recognizing the gap and need to disrupt the narrative around women’s healthcare and supporting women to make and own their health choices throughout their lifecycle, Population Services International launched VIYA Health Enterprises in 2022.

VIYA Health Enterprises is a social business that brings together sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information, products, and services via a comprehensive, digitally enabled ecosystem.

It provides women with the tools they need to choose and own their health journeys. VIYA inspires bold conversations around pleasure, menstrual health, contraception, pregnancy, and sexual wellness, changing the way people talk about women's lives from menstruation to menopause and beyond.

“We provide access to quality health information, products and services tailored to women's needs via a website, social media platforms, and soon to be integrated private messaging channels powered by artificial intelligence (AI) technology,” says Maureen Chege-Ondego, VIYA Health Enterprises East Africa Digital Lead. “By doing so we provides a safe space for women to connect, share their experiences and become bolder in their health and lifestyle choices.”

From menstruation to menopause and beyond, VIYA supports women who want to reclaim their bodies and make confident, independent health choices.

The community is made up of women with similar experiences who can share, learn from each other, and offer advice guided by VIYA Health experts.

“In the last three months, we have reached over 5 million people in Kenya, 80% being women, with the highest engagement through our WhatsApp community,” says Maureen. “Our digital content is guided by women’s most frequently asked questions which revolve around sexual wellness and contraception.”

VIYA recognizes that discussions surrounding women's health, especially topics related to pleasure and menstruation, too often occur in secret, even among close family and friends.

This secrecy can result in misinformation, feelings of shame, period poverty, and ultimately, a lack of confidence when it comes to making informed choices about their own bodies. Shunning these conversations also creates, for many young girls, a pathway to early, unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions.

Young girls are asking important questions: when they should expect their first period, if one can get pregnant during their cycle, about changes in cycle length and prolonged and painful bleeding, and how various contraceptives choices affect their cycle, and more. Fortunately, VIYA has the answers.

“It is unfortunate that natural occurrences like menstruation and sex are still considered taboo topics. The only way to normalize women's health is to speak freely,” explains Christine Mboya, VIYA Health Kenya Digital Specialist.

“VIYA educates girls and women on how to go about their menstrual health and the different changes their body goes through during this period. We have experts who tackle and answer any concerns asked through our online platforms.”

VIYA offers a safe, judgment-free space for women who want to connect, share, and support each other in achieving a happier, healthier state of mind and body.

Women in the VIYA community are confident and bold. Even when they are not, they are open to kickstarting the journey into a bold new them, with the advice of a best friend like VIYA.

Join our community today by sending us a quick message here: Contact — VIYA Health Kenya.