Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba’s sanitary pad campaign got a shot in the arm following a donation of a “pad bank” from the Export Processing Zones Authority and Container Technology Limited ahead of the World Menstrual Hygiene Day Celebrations scheduled for 27th of this month at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
“I just received the long awaited Pad Bank that I will be launching this coming Saturday the 27th of May at KICC you are all welcome! Entrance fee – Purchase any amount of Sanitary Towels at the gate and drop into Glo’s Pad Bank. Thank you Export Processing Zones Authority – Kenya and Container Technology Limited” she wrote on her Facebook page
The vibrant lawmaker who was earlier this month nominated for the trailblazer Bunge Award during the International Women’s day at the same venue is expected on Saturday to conduct morning road show that will cover majority region of Eastlands in Nairobi in a bid to distribute sanitary pads in various shopping centres and also create awareness on Menstrual Hygiene.
The subsequent weekend afternoon event will see the youthful politician launch “Glo’s Pad Bank” a 20ft container geared towards collecting sanitary pads to be distributed country wide besides unveiling her bill dubbed The Provision of Free Sanitary Towels for public participation
The event is a global advocacy platform bringing together the voices and actions of non-profits, government agencies, individuals, the private sector and the media to promote good menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) for all women and girls.
“This year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day breaks the silence, raises awareness and changes negative social norms around MHH, and engages decision-makers to increase the political priority and catalyse action for MHH, at global, national and local levels,” she said.
In February this year,she attracted international attention after being asked to leave parliament because of an apparent blood stain on her trousers in an effort aimed at pushing forward a bill that would provide free and unlimited feminine hygiene to show solidarity for the ordeal girls and women go through when experiencing their menstrual cycle.
“I think I’m dressed as per the standing orders; I’m covered, I have a suit, I have collars, and I’m just short of a tie. I’m disappointed because the point of order that is being raised to try and attack an accident that is natural…I have stained my clothes…I just want to know, while we’re discussing this issue that is not even in the Order Paper, is it because Senators are not women who have periods? Because then maybe I shouldn’t be in this House,” she stated.
“This is the period stigma that is making our girls kill themselves, we have a girl who killed herself because of the same issue that I’m going through, and now I understand because it is the women who are trying to make this a crime. Because maybe it’s Valentine’s Day? Because maybe on Valentine’s Day, we’re not supposed to have our periods? I’m shocked that someone can stand here and say that the House has been disgraced because a woman has had her period?” she added.
Orwoba who left managing Facebook data network in Denmark in 2019 says she joined politics to advocate for leadership,ideologies and frameworks that respect women hence lifting the girl-child into elective positions.
She wants to break the ceiling by becoming the first female MP for Bobasi Constituency, Kisii County, in 2027, having already called upon the Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action to facilitate the provision of feminine hygiene products in all public schools.
