Veteran singer Maureen Lilanda has advised women to be responsible in their dressing to avoid provoking men and the rest of society.
And the Zambia National Women’s Lobby has condemned Mpika district commissioner Catherine Chileshe for threatening to set youths on indecently dressed women.
In reference to Chileshe’s statement, Maureen said people had the right to dress the way they want, but needed to be responsible in doing so.
“They have the right but they should also take responsibility. Dressing is like drinking or smoking. If people in the room do not smoke, why should you smoke and offend them? If you are going to dress and hurt some people’s feelings, why should you dress and offend [them]? As much as you have the right, have the responsibility,” she advised.
Maureen added that dressing was a trend that was moving with time and that the term “indecent dressing” was relative.
“You cannot use an offence to correct an offence; moreover rating of indecency is personal, what may be indecent to me may not be indecent to you. It is a matter of culture. Indecency is a very relative comment. I can be in a long dress but it is clingy and showing everything that is indecent in my view. But to be honest, people are going with the trend,” said Maureen.
And ZNWL chairperson Beauty Katebe condemned Chileshe for inciting youths to use violence to sort out indecently dressed women.
In a statement, Katebe stated that the organisation found it peculiar that a woman in a high leadership position could incite violence against fellow women.
“Rather than resorting to inciting violence, Ms Chileshe as a leader should be in the forefront of promoting unity and peace and use the proper channels to address any challenges that may arise in society, including the mode of dressing,” stated Katebe.
Meanwhile, Zambia Police acting public relations officer Esther Katongo said Chileshe’s statement could result in more harassment of women, a vice that she said the police were determined to curb.
Katongo said as much as the end result would be good, the method proposed by Chileshe was not advisable as it would promote anarchy.