After Attacks, Malawi Prez Retracts Negative View of Women in Pants
Special to the NNPA from the Global Information Network
Jan. 24 (GIN) Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika has stepped back from remarks earlier this month criticizing women for wearing pants or miniskirts. The remarks triggered an outbreak of beatings and of tearing clothes off women over their choice of attire.
In a 15 minute national address, President Mutharika condemned the recent attacks on women mainly by vendors who claimed that the President had ordered it.
Women who want to wear trousers should do so as you will be protected from thugs, vendors and terrorists, the president said in a local language, Chichewa. I will not allow anyone to go on the streets and start undressing women and girls wearing trousers because that is criminal.
On Friday, Jan. 20, hundreds of girls and women, among them prominent politicians, protested the attacks while wearing pants or miniskirts and T-shirts emblazoned with such slogans as: Real men dont harass women. A recording of Bob Marleys No Woman, No Cry got a loud cheer when it was played during the protest. Men also took part.
Even the Presidents VP chimed in with support for the protestors. Some of us have spent our entire life fighting for the freedom of women, Vice President Joyce Banda told the protesters. Its shocking some men want to take us back to bondage.
During the reign of Malawis first President Kamuzu Banda, women were not allowed to wear trousers and miniskirts until 1993 when Kamuzu was about to leave power.
By Fungai Maboreke
Latest Stories
- Missing Persons Identification Act Becomes Law
- Clerk Mariyana Spyropoulos Hosts Second Chance Summit to Make Justice Accessible
- South Suburban College and Superior Ambulance Announced Their Articulation Agreement Following The Groundbreaking Of The New Allied Health & Nursing Center
- EARLY WALKER AND VMS TO ANNOUNCE HUGE EXPANSION PROMOTING DIVERSITY IN CHICAGO TOWING CONTRACT
- ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CALLS ON INSTAGRAM TO STRENGTHEN LOCATION PRIVACY
Latest Podcast
STARR Community Services International, Inc.
