LUSAKA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Recent reports by a Zambian government official that the government is considering introducing a national dress code as one way to tackle moral decay has led to controversy and heated discussions among the public.
In a country with diverse cultural backgrounds and ethnicity, people are wondering whether introducing a dress code will reduce immoral acts such as rape, child defilement, and prostitution.
While the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs quickly moved in to dispel the reports, saying the minister was misquoted, the reports nevertheless ignited a debate.
In a statement issued to dispel the reports, Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Public Relations Officer Chibesa Musukwa said the ministry is not currently considering introducing a national dress code as it is aware of the diverse culture that the country is endowed with and the civil and human rights that people enjoy.
According to her, the minister's statement was misrepresented as her comment was on a national dress and not a national dress code.
She added that the issue of introducing a national dress code requires extensive consultations and that it is not something the ministry can just impose.
In December last year, the religious minister raised issues regarding dressing when one of the country's radio personalities posted semi-nude photos of herself promoting a brand.
The minister said the country has values and principles enshrined in the constitution which guide people in the manner they should conduct themselves whether in private or business.
While the ministry's views are that indecent dressing is the cause of immoral acts like rape cases or child defilements, people have different opinions.
Lulu Haangala-Wood, a socialite and television personality says that a fully-dressed woman may still fall victim to rape.
"As someone who has heard first-hand from girls and women that have suffered sexual abuse and as I have experienced attempted rape around the age of 11 whilst dressed decently, I really am baffled by the statement," she said in an article published in local media.
She wondered why women could be oppressed in their freedom to choose what to wear, adding that efforts should be concentrated on coming up with laws to ensure stiffer punishment for sexual offenders.
Theresa Sakala wondered whether all the young girls that have been defiled were due to indecent dressing, adding that the problem is due to immorality which the ministry should address through counseling.
But Christopher Chisha, a social commentator from central Zambia's Kapiri Mposhi town, says the issue of having a national dress code should be looked at from a point of view of promoting morality as enshrined in the country's constitution.
He said the issue of promoting moral value is well vested in addresses by President Edgar Lungu to the National Assembly where he espouses the importance of inculcating moral uprightness and ethical behavior in citizens each year.
"We need to act together. If we do not act to redress this trend, we risk losing our moral values and ethics completely," he said in an article published in local media.
According to him, it is imperative for all citizens to collectively resolve to strengthen the application of national values and principles in everything done in the country.
Analysts say the issue of having a national dress code is indeed contentious as other ethnic values and norms have to be taken into consideration, thus the debate on what constitutes decent dressing will continue to linger in the country due to diverse cultural backgrounds. Enditem
