It would be nice to wake up and curate the platform, create kinds of events for gender professionals are interested in and develop a pool of guides that I needed when I first started out. Until then, we continue to mostly self-resource because this gap needs to be filled.

We have kept our costs low through using a reasonably-priced hosting and analytic services. But the time to it takes to find jobs, upload them, share them and prep for workshops are all free labor that can are not compensated.

We also have a donate button on the platform but we have not had sufficient donations that can sustain us sustainably. The community tries and any donation in this economy is a sacrifice on the individual’s part.

While we could have volunteers who analyze the data or update the platform, we believe that expertise should be valued and part of that includes being paid. Gender professionals are already undervalued and underpaid so we do not want to perpetuate that.

We also have spoken to users on what they would like to see improved on the platform and we have not had the time or resources to action on the platform updates.

We hold data on the gender jobs landscape that can be used to inform organizations looking to hear from gender professionals on what it takes to attract, recruit and retain them.

This year we held 5 workshops on navigating the gender jobs landscape in the midst of the gender backlash and the rise of the use of AI for applicants and recruiters.

We support over 12,000 current and aspiring jobs seekers weekly with curated job opportunities and provide over 500 organizations access to over 50,000 qualified gender professionals as through the platform.

After psyching myself up for the 3 shots (typhoid, cholera and meningitis) that I won’t cry, I looked down at the first needle going in and it was painful but not as painful as I had imagined it would have been. The second one was forgettable. I was a bit disappointed that the cholera one was oral.

The aunties are sucking their teeth because it should be a given to them. Children are required to be their friends and involve them. It’s funny and sad.

10/

Consultation: 4,400 KES
Mirena intrauterine system and pain management: 20,025 KES
Cost of removal and insertion (5,600x2): 11,200*
Miscellaneous items for procedures (gloves, speculum, underpaid): 849.

*note the cost will be 5,600 KES less if you are only doing one procedure.

9/ By 2pm I was back in my house, cuddling a hot water bottle that my friend made me after taking me home.

Got mine at Aga Khan Hospital, Valley Arcade. Cost breakdown following.

8/ By 1pm she had removed and inserted the new one but also prepped me as to how my body would react at each stage. It didn’t do anything for the pain but psychologically, I didn’t think anything was wrong. We had also gone through all the risks of the procedure so I also had that information.

7/ By 10:40 I had seen the gynae who took my pain concerns seriously and told me what she would prescribe. She also opted to insert it via ultrasound so she could better see where she was placing it.

Took my pain meds and began hydrating for the ultrasound. Which went until 12:40-ish.

6/ I was given the pain management regime and also the payment estimate (because my insurance only covers oral birth control) and got the appointment.

Showed up an hour early to complete the intake and prep. At 9am, I had paid. By 9:30am, I was triaged.

5/ 2025. Exactly 5 years later. I call for the replacement and I am transferred over when I am asked about pain management. The pharmacist laughs an an asks me “you fear pain?”

I did have to ask him if that was a professional question of which he quickly apologized.

4/ When I brought it up at my 6 week follow-up, it was just brushed aside as though I am dramatic and to thank God it is inside to prevent me from labor.

3/ I also got no information that my uterus would try to push the foreign object out and the cramps can be very severe and in quick succession. I was not away that my uterus could make such jerking motions.

I, then, was sent home with no pain management and had to figure it out at home.