Activists say anti-porn law is confusing

Apr 03, 2014

Women rights activists have asked government to sensitize the public on the Anti-Pornography Act following incidents where some women have reportedly been undressed for wearing skimpy clothes.

By Francis Emorut                                                   

KAMPALA - Women rights activists have asked government to sensitize the public on the Anti-Pornography Act following incidents where some women have reportedly been undressed for wearing skimpily.

The law, which criminalizes indecency and promotion of pornography, was signed by President Yoweri Museveni in February this year.

It particularly forbids women from wearing revealing clothes like miniskirts and provocative blouses that would cause sexual excitement among men.

But now the women activists are saying the piece of legislation, which has popularly been coined the ‘miniskirt law’, has caused confusion among the public.

They cite scenarios where women have been stripped in public places in the name of the law.

According to the law, low-cut clothes can be worn only for educational and medical purposes, or during sports or cultural events.

Speaking at the 3rd women think tank meeting at Hotel African in Kampala, Lule Mukwaya, an official from Platform for Labour Action, underlined the need for government’s clarity on the law because “women are scared to walk down the streets of Kampala”.

Ruth Ochieng, the executive director of ISIS WCCE, pointed out that society needs to be educated about the law because the law does not call for stripping of provocatively dressed women.

Miriam Manyanguzi of Uganda Human Rights Network wondered what the law entails and therefore, need for its explanation to the public.

She said: “You can’t direct a woman what to put on. That’s why we need government to come out clearly on this law.”

The think tank meeting was organized by Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE).

It drew participants from the academia, civil society organisations and women leaders across the NGO board.

Irene Ovonji, the executive director of FIDA-Uganda, wondered why the anti-pornography law was given priority while the marriage and divorce bill was shelved.

She said the law is associated with patriarchy and therefore, targets women.

She also stressed the need for legislators to analyze the content of a bill before it is passed into law.

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