A Kenyan senator who was asked to leave parliament due to a blood stain on her trousers told the BBC she was “period shame” proud.
Gloria Orwoba claimed that she saw the spill outside the building.
Because she is so vocal in her opposition to menstrual shame, she decided to “live the talk” herself.
A number of lawmakers, including one female senator, have criticized her for what they see as rude behavior.
Sen. Tabitha Mutinda raised concerns about Ms. Orwoba’s attire at Tuesday’s plenary session, asking the speaker to rule on whether or not she had followed the house’s dress code.
According to Ms. Mutinda, “you don’t understand if she’s on the natural woman cycle or faking it, and that is very obscene.” She continued by saying that there was a more appropriate manner to bring up this topic, and that doing so in this way was not an example to young females.
Ms. Orowba expressed her displeasure at being questioned over “an accident that is natural… I have ruined my clothes,” which she saw as a petty issue.
To the senators, she said, “I think I’m clothed as per the standing orders — I’m covered, I have a suit, I have collars, I’m just short of a tie.” She was wearing a white trouser suit.
Ms. Orowba said she now has a better understanding of the discrimination young girls in Kenya suffer because they are menstruating.
Women are attempting to make this a crime, and now I get it since we have a girl who killed herself over the same problem I have.
Even a male senator was critical of her.
“Our wives and daughters go through menstruation, but this is a private family problem that should be handled discreetly. There is much shame on this house for what Sen. Gloria has done. That can’t be allowed to happen “remarked Senator Enoch Wambua.
Apparently, Ms. Orowba was discouraged from entering the senate chamber by its employees.
“One of the senators’ aides rushed over to shield me and pleaded with me to get back in the car as soon as I got out. As someone who always speaks out against menstrual shame, I figured it was time to put my own advice into practice.”
Ms. Orowba was asked to leave the Senate chamber by Speaker Amason Kingi.
There is “never a criminal” in having a period, he emphasized. Sen. Gloria, I understand that menstruation is a natural part of your body’s process, but I ask that you please excuse yourself so that you can change into clean clothing and return.
Ms. Orowba did not change into a new outfit once she left the Senate building. She addressed the press and then went to a Nairobi school to hand out tampons and other feminine hygiene products.
The senator is supporting a motion that would require all public schools to provide free sanitary supplies to all students. As she put it, “period poverty” would be alleviated with the money.
