Nature unleashed: Why are women showing off too much cleavage?

Women are showing some skin in a whole new way. Dresses that reveal flashes of breast are the latest trend. But as Carol Natukunda writes, the men say it’s a dangerous fashion to follow

The boobs are out, people. Everywhere you turn, women strut about town showing too much cleavage. The blouses have gotten shorter; the bras smaller; and the breasts seem to be ready to pop out —literally. Moralists are up in arms, describing it as indecent, but the women are having none of that. 

 “Let them close their eyes! This is fashion!” remarks Lynn Ndagire, a sales executive. She is wearing a sleeveless top with a low-cut V-shape at the front, showing off the top of her breasts. And that point where they are protruding becomes the main event. “If I have them, I flaunt them,” says Ndagire. 

Yet, while men have been known to naturally ogle at women’s breasts, none of them seems to approve of this fashion trend. In fact, they beg women to wear less revealing clothing when they are out in public. Timothy, a communications consultant, says when he sees a woman showing too much cleavage, “it is like getting a half unwrapped present for Christmas”. 

It takes the mystery out of a woman, because he would rather unwrap the package himself and find a surprise.

Simon, a 35-year-old, married father of two sighs and says: “A woman showing me her breasts seems like a slut to me.”

There are also concerns that too much cleavage is the reason most women are raped or sexually assaulted. “If you dress like that, how do you expect a man to react seeing all those breasts staring back?” asks one lawyer. 

Dr. James Nsaba Buturo, an outspoken moralist and former ethics minister, says it is indecent to dress like that. Indecency is a crime under the Ugandan laws. “It is a total disaster!” says Buturo. “If society has chosen to go with this kind of dressing in the name of fashion, it is a shame!” 

It is my right
Ask any woman why they dress the way they do and they will tell you that it is their right to dress anyway they wish. So is showing too much breast extreme emancipation or just a fashion statement? Of course, there comes a time in a woman’s life when the cleavage thing just does not cut it anymore, because age has taken over. 

While Miria Matembe, a woman activist, has no problem seeing young stylish girls go trendy with fashion, she is angry that the word emancipation is being abused.

“The emancipation that I, Matembe talks about, is about gender equality, so women can be empowered to take charge of their lives. It is not just any rubbish. It should not be interpreted to mean indecency, or indiscipline and immorality,” says Matembe. 

“Women no longer nurture their children. So what do you expect if the mother is indecent? We should be careful not to link indecency to emancipation or gender equality.”

But in the same breath, Matembe feels women are being judged too harshly. “Why don’t you talk about men who defile children on the streets rather than picking a topic on women’s blouses and breasts?” she asks.

Solome Nakaweesi Kimbugwe, a feminist, says the cleavage is a generational issue creating conflict between the age groups and geographical features.

 “Younger women who have passed through emancipated families are bolder with their bodies compared to their older counterparts. Similarly, younger men have grown up seeing cleavage as compared to older men, so this defines their world views of the purpose of cleavage,” observes Nakaweesi. 

She rubbishes claims that showing off boobs leads to defilement and rape. 

“Are kids in pampers that are defiled showing cleavage? I personally find some men’s bodies rather tempting and attractive when exposed, like at the gym, during a football or rugby match, or at the beach. But, I don’t cross boundaries and abuse them in the excuse that they tempted me! Why should we use that excuse for women’s bodies when men cross those boundaries?” asks Nakaweesi. 

Careers at stake 
Could showing a little too much cleavage get you the sack? The popular rumours that women further their careers by getting their breasts out is not true. Even for service industries like hotels and telecoms or customer care centres, wearing such revealing attire is a big “no-no.”

Peter Byamukama, the proprietor of a microfinance institution, says: “I know from all my years in business that if people look smarter, they feel the part and they achieve more — both in terms of productivity and career progression. 

When you show a part of your body that is supposed to be private, you lose concentration yourself.” Byamukama feels women should never expose any part of the breast (and no visible edge of bra or camisole either). Citing former Uganda Investment Authority director, Maggie Kigozi as a model, he says: “There is a feminine, stylish woman who is clearly taken seriously.

One doesn’t imagine that she ever showed off a lot of cleavage in her career. 

The younger you are, the more you need to be aware of your image. Showing less is the right decision. As a guy, I am capable of admiring your feminine style and listening to you at the same time.”

Body politics
Kimbugwe argues that showing off cleavage is an indicator of progress in the fight for women’s human rights. She argues that while 10-20 years ago people were talking about girl-child education, women accessing microfinance or standing for political office, today we are delving deeper into issues to do with personal rights, body integrity, sexuality and body politics. 

“This shows a positive progression in terms of what is more important now in the human rights discourse — you can’t empower women at a public level when they are not in control of their bodies.” 

She adds: “To girls and women out there I would say look good, feel great with your cleavage; love your bodies; dress for you not for others; dump those that view you for your body and what you are worth intellectually and                  socially. Celebrate your womanhood or femininity and in this case love and celebrate your breasts.”