Winnie Kiio

Created Kenya's first menstrual hygiene initiative for marginalized girls through her organization Totohealth

Winnie Kiio is a social entrepreneur transforming menstrual health access in Kenya through her nonprofit Totohealth. Growing up in a rural community where menstruation taboos limited girls' education, Kiio developed a solution during her studies at University of Nairobi. In 2015, she launched Totohealth, which provides reusable menstrual kits and conducts workshops in schools. The initiative has reached over 25,000 girls in 150 schools, reducing absenteeism by 70% in participating schools. Kiio's innovation combines culturally sensitive education with low-cost products like the TotoPad™, made from locally sourced banana fibers. Her work was recognized with the UN Women's Innovation Award in 2018. She co-authored 《The Menstrual Health Revolution: Empowering African Girls》, detailing her journey and strategies for scaling impact. Kiio also founded the East African Menstrual Health Alliance, uniting 45 NGOs across 7 countries. Her TED Talk "Ending Period Poverty, One Pad at a Time" highlights grassroots collaboration with tailors and farmers to create sustainable supply chains. By addressing both stigma and infrastructure, Kiio's approach has inspired similar programs in Uganda and Tanzania.