Gloria Orwoba: Kenyan senator asked to leave over ‘period stain’

(BBC) A female Kenyan senator who was asked to leave parliament because of an apparent blood stain on her trousers has told the BBC she was proud to stand up against “period shame”.

Gloria Orwoba said she had noticed the stain before entering the building.

“Since I am always advocating against period shame, I thought I should go ahead and walk the talk,” she said.

Some MPs, including another female senator, criticised her, saying she was being disrespectful.

During Tuesday’s plenary session, Sen Tabitha Mutinda asked the speaker to rule on whether Ms Orwoba had adhered to the house’s dress code, saying she found it uncomfortable and inappropriate.

“You don’t understand if she’s on the normal woman cycle or she’s faking it, and it is so indecent,” said Ms Mutinda. She added there was a better way to raise this issue and this was not setting a good example to young women and girls.

Ms Orowba responded by saying she was disappointed to be questioned over “an accident that is natural… I have stained my clothes”.

“I think I’m dressed as per the standing orders – I’m covered, I have a suit, I have collars, I’m just short of a tie,” she told the senate, dressed in a white trouser suit.