Kenyans on Twitter have come out in large numbers to support Senator Gloria Orwoba following her dress code on February 14, at the senate.
The MP accessed the debating chamber wearing ‘blood-stained’ clothes advocating for free sanitary pad distribution.
The stain was, however, not of period blood but artificial colouring.
Some Kenyans applauded her great confidence saying that young girls and women should not be criticized when they are on their menstrual cycle.
Others seconded the motion that sanitary towels should be free and the government should pass the bill and finally into law.
When I was in class 8, this happened to a lady classmate. She was embarrassed, we all were including boys! No single girl should go through such ’embarrassment’ over a natural biological bodily function! These are things we can manage without making it look difficult and undoable
— It’s Sam (@kirori_kamau) February 14, 2023
Yet, it shouldn’t be. I hope you are taking care of your sisters, wife, mother and any female relation so that they don’t ‘disgust’ you in this manner.
&
I like this lady, it must be as graphic as possible for message to get home. Pads are getting more expensive each day and I can’t imagine girls going through my experience of using old clothes and washing them after school
— Veeane (@otienoviviane) February 14, 2023
; Phannie A. Kwegah 🇰🇪 (@MissKwegah1) February 14, 2023
Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda said that the outfit was very inappropriate and found it very uncomfortable.
“I find it very uncomfortable. Very inappropriate for our colleague Senator Gloria to step in and you don’t understand if she is on a normal woman cycle or she is faking it. It is so indecent” Mutinda said.
Nevertheless, Senator Orwoba defended her dress code, saying she experienced ‘periods’ on her way to Parliament.
“I’m just dressed as per the Standing Orders. I’m covered. I have a suit. I have collars. I’m just short of a tie.
She added that most of the girls have been criticized due to their menstrual cycle leading to loss of lives.
“This is the period stigma that is making our girls kill themselves,” Senator Orwoba said.
The motion was a target to girls who can’t afford the basic items every menstrual cycle.
