Ruling party youths strip 'slut' dressers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Twenty members of Zambia's ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy were arrested after hundreds of youths stripped women naked in the streets for wearing miniskirts or trousers.
The men said they were acting in the name of their new President, Levy Mwanawasa, to enforce "official or smart casual dress" during the rampage through the capital, Lusaka, on Monday. Zambian newspapers quoted youths as saying they believed the President wanted an end to "suggestive and provocative" or "slut" dressing by women.
But President Mwanawasa condemned their behaviour as a disgrace and an attempt to deny Zambian women freedom of dress. His spokesman, Arthur Yoyo, said: "It is a presidential directive that the youths involved be firmly dealt with by law enforcers."
Zambia is a deeply conservative country. The incident was expected to embarrass President Mwanawasa, who had had to cope with rioting by opposition supporters in Lusaka. The protesters claimed that he had won the presidential elections last month by rigging the vote.
He also committed a series of gaffes during the election campaign, such as referring to the former president Frederick Chiluba as his sister.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments