New Delhi: Even in 2021, there are some places in the world where women are still judged on the basis of their dressing sense and fashion choices. But what one can’t believe that such practices are followed in parliament of a country. Recently, one such incident came to light when a female MP in Tanzania was removed from the National Assembly because of her ‘tight’ trousers.
According to a BBC report, a minister of CCM party, Condester Sichwale, was removed from the Assembly on Tuesday because a male MP Hussein Amar had problems with her clothes.
Hussein said while pointing at Condester Sichwale, “Mr. Speaker, an example there is my sister seated on my right with a yellow shirt. Look at the trousers she has worn, Mr. Speaker.” The Speaker then ordered the MP, Condester Sichwale, to leave and asked her to “go dress up well, and then join us back later”.
Hussein Amar argued that Parliament was a reflection of society and that a portion of Parliament’s rules forbids female legislators from wearing tight jeans. The BBC reported that chamber orderlies had been asked by Speaker Ndugai to deny entry to anyone who was “inappropriately dressed,”.
Sichwale returned later in a navy blue skirt. Outraged by the incident, women lawmakers in Tanzania have called for an apology to Sichwale.
Twitter Reactions
? KICKED OUT
? Tanzanian MP Condester Michael Sichlwe caused a stir in parliament in Dodoma today ‘by wearing black tight-fitting trousers, and yellow top’.
Speaker of Parliament Job Ndugai threw her out for wearing ‘non-parliamentary attire’.
? @Hakingowi pic.twitter.com/n8vxabWLQV
— Louis Jadwong (@Jadwong) June 1, 2021
Nonsense.
Complete Nonsense.
It’s not tight. She’s fully dressed. And people need to stop policing women.
— Valerie. (@ValNgugi) June 1, 2021
I am annoyed with this. Like, really? ??
I hate it when women’s clothes, bodies and decisions are policed by men. And those pants ain’t tight!! Uugh. Such a mysogonistic power trip by the speaker.— Tak ???? (@Tak_Tkk) June 1, 2021
African countries scorecard:
Police women’s bodies ✅
Protect the poor ❌
Protect LGBTQI+ ❌
Provide basic services for the citizenry ❌— Keletso ?? (@keletso_o) June 2, 2021
Kicked out by men who love to see their side chicks dressed in practically nothing. Hypocrites.
They call that trousers tight fitting?
Deliberate blindness?
And the handmaid tale’s women who sat and watched? Smh— Lady Shine. (@shininlite0326) June 1, 2021
I wonder why the other women in the house didn’t get up and walk right out with her, pledge solidarity, tomorrow it will be you with some other misogynistic nonsense!
— Nelisiwe Ntshangase (@ma_ntshangase) June 2, 2021
What does their parliamentary attire look like? Do they have a uniform or something? Cos I see nothing wrong in this
— Cert. Legendary Troublemaker? (@Bio_teddy) June 1, 2021