Just when I accepted the contract (on Tuesday, January 17th ) a shockwave struck Malawi. Youth masquerading as vendors went on a rampage – They stopped, beat up, and stripped women they found wearing mini-skirts, trousers or leggings in Lilongwe, Mzuzu, and Blantyre for “provocative and untraditional attire.” (Women won the right to wear pants in 1994) In the aftermath, vendors have proclaimed their innocence in the attacks and blamed unemployed, youthful mobs lurking the city streets.
In an address to the nation, Malawi's president, Bingu wa Mutharika, ordered the police to arrest those who attack women: "I will not allow anyone to wake up and go on the streets and start undressing women and girls wearing trousers, because that is illegal," Mutharika told state radio. "Every woman and girl has the right to dress the way they wish."
In response to the attacks, men, women, and politicians joined forces to hold a demonstration against such violence. Many wore trousers and mini-skirts in defiance of this most recent display of gender bias. Others carried placards and wore T-shirts that denounced the harassment of women.
To be safe I happened to pack a lot of dresses!
It also takes some time to acclimatize to the heat when have been living in 20 below weather for months, hence why I cannot stand to wear anything other than an my airy dress. On the 2nd week of work, there was a rumour going around that I hadn’t dared bring pants to Malawi for fear of being attacked. No one failed to comment the next day when I wore slacks.
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