emma mchugh

this week’s podcast conversation is with the incredible emma mchugh <3 when i first started the wander podcast, emma was one of the very first names i wrote down. her story, her work, and her presence have continued to inspire me—this episode is truly special.

emma’s journey into menstrual health research began as an artistic idea for an undergrad assignment and has since evolved into a powerful global project that blends storytelling, advocacy, and data. her work is rooted in listening to women’s lived experiences across the global south, with the goal of making menstrual health not just a research topic, but a global conversation.

her project is called akini—a swahili word meaning “girl, child, born in the morning.” the name itself reflects the hope and resilience at the core of her mission. what began as a creative campaign has grown into an international initiative. emma visits communities to interview women about their periods, the products they use, and how menstruation impacts their daily lives. she also brings menstrual supplies and education—offering both practical support and meaningful research.

emma has conducted fieldwork in kenya, malawi, eswatini, and mexico, with plans to expand to india, peru, papua new guinea, and the philippines. she has presented her findings at academic conferences and is always seeking new ways to elevate these often-silenced stories.

one of the most striking parts of her work emerged in kenya, where 90.4% of the women she interviewed had engaged in transactional sex to access menstrual products. the consequences—unwanted pregnancies, hiv, long-term trauma—are devastating. in response, emma raised funds to distribute menstrual cups, which became more than just a product—they represented safety, dignity, and autonomy.

in mexico, emma explored menstrual equity within zapotec culture, a matriarchal society in oaxaca. even in such strong cultural communities, menstruation is still under-discussed. with support from salt (a company that donated menstrual cups), emma helped open up cross-cultural conversations where women from different countries shared their stories and found connection in their experiences.

now working her dream job at a university, emma is also navigating the pressures of academia—like publishing demands and imposter syndrome. but through it all, she remains grounded in the belief that stories matter. she’s currently envisioning a documentary on period poverty in san diego and hopes to expand akini into a seven-country research and storytelling project.

outside of work, emma loves connecting with people wherever she goes, collecting treasures on her walks, cooking bright, colorful meals for friends, swimming in the ocean, and getting lost in a good book.

this conversation is one i’ve been lucky to have with emma many times over the last three years—and every single time, i think: more people need to hear this. i wish i could send it to everyone i know.

i hope you love the episode! if it resonates with you, leaving a review or sharing it with a friend would mean so much.

for more information on emma’s work, visit

https://akinyi.net