We recently gathered, not for a typical Political Spa session, but to reimagine one. Makeup artists, young women leaders, aspiring politicians, and content creators came together to co-create a toolkit that will make Political Spa sessions more engaging, authentic, and inclusive.
Political Spa is our bold feminist innovation in civic education. By merging makeup artistry, personal grooming, and civic dialogue, we create safe, affirming, and accessible entry points for young women, especially those often disengaged or excluded from political spaces, to explore their political agency.
The Spark in the Room
The facilitator called for two volunteers. “We’ll do a twenty-minute simulation,” she said.
As makeup artists began their work, the questions flowed naturally.
“What do you think about the SHA scandal?”
Within minutes, the conversation deepened; from frustrations about healthcare access, to the heavy silence around femicide, to the critical question: “How many of our elected leaders are actually fighting for us?”
For twenty minutes, brushes blended and so did the dialogue. Leadership was scrutinized, wins celebrated, and gaps called out.
When the simulation ended, one participant reflected: “I always thought I needed to be an expert before I could talk about politics. But that just felt like talking with friends who care about the same things I do.”
In that moment, the message was clear: civic engagement doesn’t need boardrooms. It can happen anywhere young women feel safe enough to speak.
Imagining More
The facilitator then asked: “So, where else can a spa take place? And what’s possible within these sessions?”
The ideas came fast:
- “Hair braiding, we are already there for hours.”
- “Campus hostels. Online spaces. Wherever we already gather.”
A content creator suggested vlogging to create a digital archive: “So young women everywhere can see themselves in these conversations, not just those in the room.”
One participant summed it up powerfully: “We need to meet young women where they already are.”
The energy shifted during the SWOT analysis. Strengths came easily: accessibility, safety, and meeting people where they are.
But participants did not shy away from naming gaps. These conversations are powerful, but how do we move from talk to action? How do we ensure they translate into votes, into women actually running for office?
The questions were uncomfortable but necessary. This was a commitment to making Political Spa stronger, more impactful, and more transformative.
What’s Coming
Every idea, every reflection, and every challenge raised is now shaping the Political Spa Toolkit. This will not be another manual gathering dust. It will be alive with voices from young women; practical guidance on creating safe political spaces, navigating difficult conversations, and adapting to different communities. From Nairobi salons to Kisumu braiding sessions to digital platforms, it will center on young women’s lived experiences.
The Movement Grows
For four years, Political Spa has proven that young women are simply done with politics that do not see them.
So, we bring politics into the spaces where they already feel beautiful, confident, and seen. We are not just documenting a model; we are creating one. We are building a movement. A movement where young women, tired of waiting for politics to make space for them, are creating spaces where politics finally reflect them.
The toolkit is coming. The movement is growing.
