Miniskirt protest held in Zimbabwe
On November 7, 2014 a woman was stripped by touts at the Embassava Bus Terminal. The event which was filmed by a bystander and put on YouTube has sparked outrage and a demand for justice from many citizens of Nairobi. If you’re on social media you may have seen a few tweets and posts commending the men for their action while others are outraged at the act.
Members of the Facebook group Kilimani Mums have rallied together and will host a peaceful procession on Monday November 17th to stand in solidarity with the woman who was attacked and to send a message that violence and sexual assault against women will not be tolerated. The #MyDressMyChoice procession will start at 10.00am on Monday November 17, 2014 at Uhuru Park.
The incident that took place on November 7, 2014 was not an isolated event- and the issue is not limited to Nairobi. In October, women in Zimbabwe staged a similar march in Harare to protest against harrassment of women from touts. Similar stories have also been highlighted in the news in countries including: Nigeria, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Egypt. #MyDressMyChoice is part of a bigger movement demanding equal rights and respect for the female body.
The essence of the march is to request all governing bodies in Kenya and across Africa, to advocate for better treatment of women. Kilimani Mums also wan the culprits of the stripping to be brought to book.
The procession will begin Monday November 17, 2014 at 10am at Uhuru Park and the procession will march to Accra road. Kilimani Mums want anyone who believes in justice for women to attend. It’s not only for women, men can also join in and show support for better treatment of women. Wear a mini skirt if you feel comfortable doing so. White and purple are the official procession colors. The procession will be peaceful and safe.