By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Hundreds of men and women crowded parts of Central Johannesburg on Friday to take part in a march proclaiming their right to wear miniskirts.  The protest was staged by the Africa National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) to call for an end to gender-based violence and sexual harassment.

The rally was precipitated by an incident in December in which two women at a taxi stop on Noord Street that was caught on camera.  Male drivers at the stop taunted two women about their clothing.  Others groped them and grabbed at their clothing while others took pictures.  One of the two was wearing a miniskirt, and the other had a visible bra strap.  The victim’s identities have not been disclosed, and no arrests have been made as of yet.  An investigation is underway.

In many parts of South Africa, which has one of the world’s highest occurrences of rape, men still believe that women should not wear clothing that is too revealing.  An incident similar to the one from December took place at the Noord Street stop three years ago, when Nwabisa Ngcukana was stripped and molested for wearing a miniskirt; nobody was arrested. Five years ago, the township of Umlazi, located near Durban, banned women from wearing trousers.  That July, a woman was stripped naked and had her home burned down for it.

Organizers of the march told the BBC that its goal was to put a stop to “patriarchal views still entrenched in parts of South Africa’s society.”  ANCWL Spokeswoman Troy Martens called the event one intended to start a country-wide debate regarding abuse of women.

“The 16 days of activism against women and children is clearly not enough! We need a sustained year-long campaign and dedication from authorities that brings men on board to put an end to this social scourge,” she said.

Several top officials in both the national government and the Gauteng province attended.  Lulu Xingwana, the country’s Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, was among the participants.  She wore a skirt, but not a mini.  During the event, she threatened to shut down the Noord Street stop if the drivers did not improve their behavior.

“No one has the right to (commit) corrective rape. Rape is rape,” Xingwana said.  “Real men don’t rape women, real men love and respect women.”

Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane was also present.  If the abuse continued, she said that nobody could enjoy human rights.  Taxi drivers needed to be particularly strong in spearheading the human rights movement.

“It is their duty to respect human rights… taxi drivers, taxi commuters: no one should allow violence against women and children,” she said. “As women, we are proud of our bodies, we are proud of our miniskirts.”

Participants waved signs reading various slogans, such as “I am proud of my miniskirt.”  Many danced for the cameras.  Most viewers supported the event, including men.

“It has nothing to do with culture, it is about the working class struggle and [teaching] the masses about human rights,” said one male viewer.

The march ended outside Johannesburg’s High Court building, where the ANCWL delivered a memorandum of grievances to the equality court.  Upon arrival, it was met by Justice Minister Jeff Radebe, who signed a memorandum of understanding pledging that the justice system would support fight against violence toward women and children, adding that those who tried to control fashion were not freedom fighters.

“The struggle for freedom has always been the struggle for human rights, the struggle for women’s empowerment,” Radebe said.  He then said he came to the event “because I like miniskirts,” drawing laughter and applause from the assembled crowd.

For more information, please see:

BBC — South Africa Mini-Skirt March in Protest over Attacks — 17 February 2012

IOL — Mini Skirts Paralyse Joburg — 17 February 2012

Mail & Guardian — ANC Women’s League March for Rights — 17 February 2012

Sowetan — Minister to Join Mini-Skirt March — 17 February 2012

Times (Johannesburg) — People Gather for Miniskirt March — 17 February 2012

BBC — Anger at SA Trouser “Ban” — 26 July 2007