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I feel strongly that women have every right to wear clothes that make them feel good. In Zimbabwe the mini skirt has been a subject of controversy. Men who say that women wearing mini skirts are taking to western cultures by exposing their bodies have, on several occasions, accosted young women.
I feel strongly that women have every right to wear clothes that make them feel good. In Zimbabwe the mini skirt has been a subject of controversy. Men who say that women wearing mini skirts are taking to western cultures by exposing their bodies have, on several occasions, accosted young women.
Men have verbally and physically abused several young women in Harare and Bulawayo for wearing miniskirts. They claim the mini skirt is not traditional. They argue that women are usually raped because they expose their bodies. Men in groups have stripped off young women’s clothes in public. They claim to be “provoked” by the way women dress.
So common is such abuse that Zimbabwean women and women activists have protested against the violation of women’s rights and freedoms. Despite this, attacks on women continue to be recorded in our media.
I am aware that not all men perpetrate such acts. In fact some men criticise these acts of violation. My question to those who do not is: by which cultural standards do they judge the women’s dress code and behavior?
If I look at women in traditional dress I get puzzled as to the definition of a cultural dress code! The traditional African woman and man are the most scantily dressed people. What then is the traditional dress that women should wear?
Ironically when women perform traditional dances, they wear equally exposing traditional costumes. No one complains. On the contrary, they are unreservedly applauded for upholding tradition.
In September 2003, I attended the Awesome Africa Music Festival in Durban where one local group of men and women performed some Zulu dances. Men and women wore traditional costumes similar to the Ndebele costumes in Zimbabwe. They had similar dances. The crowd enjoyed the performance.
I therefore wonder if dress is the problem? The mini skirt is actually modeled on “isiqaphe” or “umsisi” in Ndebele, a short traditional skirt worn by young women in the olden days.
Like most people, I do not support nudity. However, I believe that when it comes to the mini skirt, men who accost women do not have a valid cultural argument.
I also do not support the myth that men have uncontrollable sexual urges that are “switched on” by the way women dress. Why is it permissible for men to wear shorts? Why do women not feel the urge to rape men who expose their legs? All the research tells us that men rape not out of lust, but in order to exert their power. Deciding for women what they should wear is also nothing other than a reflection of the unequal power relations in our society. This is the heart of the issue. This is what we need to address.
Dress is about self- expression. Women have every right to express themselves anyway they desire. Women must not be viewed as objects of society, bearers of culture or carriers of corporate logos. They are free and equal human beings who should be allowed to express their individuality.
Women have feelings, personal choices and have the freedom to choose what they wear.
Society must come out strongly against men who abuse women for any reason, let alone spurious reasons like how women dress. The law enforcement agencies must equally deal strongly with the perpetrators of such violence.
Zuwa Moyo is a Zimbabwean-based freelance writer and human rights activist.