Mini-skirts and morals in Uganda

A new crackdown on what civil servants can wear in Uganda has reignited a fierce debate about morality, clothes and women's rights in the country.

The new directive brings new definitions to "dressing decently".
Women are not allowed to:

• Wear a skirt or dress that is above the knees
• Wear sleeveless, transparent blouses and dresses
• Show cleavage, navel, knees and back
• Have bright-coloured hair (natural hair, braids or hair extensions)
• Have nails longer than 3cms (1.5in), or have bright or multi-coloured nail polish

While men must:

• Wear neat trousers, long-sleeved shirts, jacket and a tie
• Not wear tight fitting trousers
• Not have open shoes, except on health grounds/recommendation.
• Have well-groomed, short hair

Adah Muwanga, human resources director at the Public Service Ministry, said the new circular was needed because of complaints - especially about female public officers - from male counterparts, who say "body parts should be covered".

Civil servants are made aware of the dress rules at induction, says Moses Sempiira, a teacher.
"Each profession has got its code of conduct.
"When you're at work, you have to dress up the way you're expected.
"I have no problem with it."
However, Rita Achiro, head of the Uganda Women's Network, describes the order as a diversionary move.
"How does dress code affect service delivery?" she asks.
"What Ugandans need are more teachers and nurses.
"We have high maternal mortality, children in schools without teachers.
"I don't see how the banning of mini-skirts and bright-coloured shirts is going to fix that."
source- bbc