This archive report was first published on 21 July 2021.
On a sunny day in September 2014, a disturbing video went viral, capturing the brutal assault of a woman at a Nairobi bus stop for wearing a miniskirt. The incident sparked the 'My Dress, My Choice' campaign, highlighting the need for collective action against sexual violence against women in Kenya.
Fast forward to 2021, Chief Yasmin Omar in Mombasa has taken a similar stance, albeit with a different approach. In an effort to promote decency and respectability, she has banned women from her office if they are dressed indecently.
According to Chief Omar, women who visit her office must be 'decently dressed' to avoid causing discomfort to elders and other visitors. She has posted a notice on her door, reading: 'Dress properly when visiting the chief's office. Attire that covers you well.'
However, not everyone agrees with Chief Omar's decision. Some residents have threatened to storm her office, accusing her of discriminating against women based on their dressing. The chief has also faced online backlash, with some people vilifying her for dismissing a woman who visited her office dressed skimpily.
Chief Omar maintains that her decision is not about restricting women's freedom but about promoting respectability and morality in the community. 'I serve many women, but it is also improper for them to come to the office dressed in a spaghetti strap exposing breast, short miniskirts and shorts with all their thighs out,' she said in an interview.
