Beginning in March 2014, a heated discussion on wearing mini-skirts in public has been questioned. Many Kenyan’s were, in fact, outraged by the said proposal, claiming that aside from being a violation of a woman’s right and curtailing their freedom to wear what they, please. For many, it was a direct discrimination. However, what drew people especially women to even greater disgust and fury was the public humiliation that some women experienced from the hands of some people after they have been stripped and assaulted for wearing the said clothing article.
Kenyans had long battled gender discrimination that prevails in the country. In fact, several countries and international human rights advocates and organization have intervened in the issue one too many times just to repeal the discriminatory practices in the country (Celaya). The problem in Kenya about gender-related issues has been existing ever since they can remember. It is also encompassing which means that is not simply confined or isolated from one context or issue. However, for the purpose of a more extensive research and understanding of the topic at hand, the proponent will simply concentrate on banning of mini-skirt in public placed and the implications of such order among women and the society in general. This paper is written to trace the history and development on the issue as presented by the different media outfits using different platforms and medium in reporting.
OVERVIEW OF THE ISSUE
The issue concerning the banning of women from wearing mini-skirts began in 2004 when a leaflet was distributed Kenya’s port city Mombasa (BBC News). The leaflet contains details that the government will prohibit women from wearing mini-skirts and anyone who will be caught will be reprimanded. That will include being stripped—in public! This immediate created a lot of commotion as it was perceived as a direct violation of the rights of women and another avenue to harass women. While the government vowed to protect women against the male chauvinists and promise to enforce the law against anyone caught harassing women, it does not seem to create a deterrent. In fact, there were several incidents that document women being harassed to the point of being stripped in public for wearing mini-skirt (Panafrican News Agency; All Africa).
It was believed that this advocacy to ban the wearing of miniskirts in Kenya originated from Uganda. According to news, it was Simon Lokodo, Uganda’s minister for ethics and integrity who proposed the bill calling for the prohibition of wearing skirts above the knee. In fact, the law even included banning television programs and internet channels that would showcase women wearing provocative clothing articles. Lokodo argues that the reason for such a law was to prevent the incidence of rape from further maligning the society. The minister furthers that were wearing such clothes encourages men to harass and disrespects women.
THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN KENYA’S MINISKIRT LAW
It was not difficult to pick up the kind of news that has been a hot topic in Kenya since the first incident came out about the government’s plan to prevent women from wearing mini-skirt. It was not so much of the ban that outrage women but more on how it will be implemented that steer much commotion. As reported by BBC News in 2004, the first implication of the law started in a leaflet was distributed suggesting that wearing mini-skirt will be reprimanded and the penalty will be humiliating—being stripped off their clothes in public (BBC News) .
A Kenyan media outfit known as Kenya Citizen TV covered the news but tried to present a balanced story suggesting that it was not only the women who are being restricted in their choice of clothes (Kenya Citizen TV) . The said ad tried to interview both men and women along with the proponent of the bill against women wearing mini-skirt. However, from a short video presentation it seemed to show favor on the law than the people who are directly affected by it. While it also sought the opinion of the public, it was quite peculiar that the people who were interviewed does not seem to be slightly bothered by the repression contrary to the mass protest condemning the law.
The World News also covers the story. This time the presentation of the issue was carefully weighed presenting both sides of the story for clarity and depth of understanding (World News). The World News presented the arguments of both said sides offering the reason the proposal to ban mini-skirt is being endorsed. From the point of view of the proponents of the law, this was, in fact, done to safeguard and protect the women from abuse. The report suggested that Lokodo’s intention was in good fate that he proposed the law. Women should not tempt men to think of them in a lustful desire. Women should not provoke men to lust over them by revealing too much of their skin. However, World News also point out the argument made the women who were against the bill.
As there were much news coming out about how poorly this law has been implemented. In fact, there had been incidents that women were being stripped naked in public. This does not only sparked outrage but massive public hysteria. Despite the government’s declaration of protecting women from abuse, the government hardly had anyone helped. In fact, instead of protecting women. The incidents of aggression against women continued to escalate, and the women were caught being victimized by men who pretend to be implementing the law.
This incident has already sparked global awareness and attention. In fact in UK, a local media outfit has already expressed disgust over Kenya’s government lack of action to put an end towards this abuse and exploitation of women. In UK Wired News, it presented that story of how Kenya failed to address the issue and allowed the massive gender discrimination to exist by reprimanding the women and tolerating the aggressive behavior of the men (UK Wired News).
CONCLUSION
Based on the review of the different media presentation on how he issue in Kenya was addressed, it revealed that the handling of the news was freer and less restrictive if it was done by a media outfit that is not locally-based. The reporters are not afraid of being censored if it is based overseas so they can criticize the government for the wrong practices and allow for an equal treatment of the issue. Kenya has always had the issue with gender discrimination, and this is evident in a majority of their laws. The society is partly to be blamed for this issue in Kenya because the country has not matured and level-up from the patriarchal system of government.
Works Cited
All Africa. News: All Africa. 6 November 2012. http://allafrica.com/stories/200002170088.html. 3 December 2014.
BBC News. News: BBC. 1 March 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3522391.stm. 3 December 2014.
Celaya, Xabier. Women Living Under Muslim Law website. 17 February 2014. Web. 2 December 2014.
Kenya Citizen TV. Youtube. 7 March 2014. Web. 3 December 2014.
Panafrican News Agency. News: All Africa. 17 February 2000. http://allafrica.com/stories/200002170088.html. 3 December 2014.
UK Wired News. World: Kenya's stripping videos cause outrage. 26 November 2014. Web. 3 December 2014.
World News. World News: Kilifi to Ban Miniskirts. 31 March 2014. Web. 3 December 2014.
