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NEW
DELHI : Some colleges in a northern Indian state have
imposed a dress code on women students purportedly to
reduce violence against women, but Church people are
divided on the issue.
Some, particularly younger people, dismiss the move as
futile, while others say it will improve modesty.
"Clothes have nothing do with violence against women,
but creating the right attitude can change society,"
said Protestant women's leader, Jyotsna Chatterji.
She was reacting to June 10 news reports that some
colleges in Uttar Pradesh state have decided to ban
women from wearing jeans and other western style
clothes. The colleges claim that the wearing of mini
skirts, shorts and tight jeans by women could provoke
sexual harassment.
Chatterji, director of the New Delhi based Joint Women's
Program, said wearing a particular kind of clothing
should not be seen as causing violence, and thus banned.
A woman should "be free to wear something that suits
her; no one can force her," she said. "But the need of
the hour is the change of perception of women.
Chatterji said society should stop deciding what is
"right and wrong for women, (but should) change its
attitudes toward women and give them respect.
"That will change the situation, not clothes," she
added. "The new dress code will only curb the liberation
of women.
Chinamma Jacob, national president of the Council of
Catholic Women of India, said the new dress code would
certainly curtail college women's freedom. "But it will
also bring in some modesty as certain dressing can be
provocative," she said.
Jacob, who has two grandchildren, said that while no one
disagrees with the need for women's freedom, people
generally agree that women should dress modestly and
decently.
Father K.J. Antony, secretary of the All India National
Association of Catholic Schools, said choice of dress is
a matter of personal liberty. However, "at the same
time, it should not be provocative," he added.
He said that although schools and colleges can insist on
students dressing decently, the authorities should also
allow some freedom of choice. He added that even if
certain dress codes are put in place, it still would not
prevent sexual harassment of women.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, Uttar
Pradesh recorded 21,215 cases of violence against women
in 2007-2008, including 2,066 cases of deaths linked to
marriage dowries, 1,532 cases of rape and 3,819 cases of
kidnapping.
Bettin Joseph a Catholic jewelry designer based in New
Delhi said the ban on western-style dress reveals a
"narrow mentality." The 23-year-old said violence
against women is not connected to the way they dress.
She pointed out that village women wearing traditional
Indian dress such as the sari also face "violence and
teasing," adding that "violence comes from a perverted
mentality that needs change.
The imposition of dress codes is "also an expression of
patriarchal" society, in which men decide for women, she
stated. Society should understand that "every woman has
her own individuality, no one should dictate terms to
her.
Cinte Francis, 17, said dress is "one's personal
choice." The Catholic girl, who plans to start college
this year, said what matters "are your studies.
"One should have the freedom to wear a dress that is
comfortable. Wearing short skirts and tops can sometime
cause trouble, but it is the girl who should decide,"
she stressed.
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