African Senator Expelled Over Inappropriate Dressing; Is Clothing The Real Issue?

During a parliament session last week, Senator Karen Nyamu was ordered to step out of the chamber by Senate speaker Amason Kingi for "failing to comply with the required dress code." Nyamu was dressed in an elegant Kitenge-patterned skirt, a black sleeveless top, and olive-green shoes. If this is not "decent and appropriate dressing," what is?

Ordering Nyamu to step out of the chamber, Senate Speaker Kingi read out Speaker’s Rule No. 5, which states, "Senators are required not to enter the chamber, lounge, or dining room without being properly dressed. This means a male senator will be dressed in a coat, collar, tie, long trousers, socks, and shoes, or service uniform, religious attire, or such other decent dressing as may be approved by the speaker from time to time. An equivalent standard shall apply in respect of women senators who may also wear kitenges or such other African attire."

African Senator Expelled From Senate

Apparently, Nyamu’s black sleeveless blouse that exposed her arms went against the Senate’s standing orders on appropriate clothing. But what is "appropriate clothing?" On what basis are the standards for appropriate clothing for women set? Is a sleeveless top considered inappropriate clothing because it exposes the woman’s arm?

This is not the first time a female politician has been criticised for her dressing style. Former First Lady Michelle Obama was criticised for wearing a black sleeveless dress for her first official photo. Her dress was reportedly branded "disrespectful," "informal," and "off-season." In what way does a sleeveless dress qualify as "disrespectful" and "inappropriate?" Is it because it reveals the woman’s arms? Creating an issue of female politicians wearing clothes that reveal their arms sounds like sexualising women. What is "inappropriate" about revealing the upper limb of the body?

On what basis do some people argue that sleeveless outfits do not qualify as "formal wear?" How can that be inappropriate unless women are being sexualised for their clothing choices? And sexualisation of women’s bodies is a man’s problem and definitely not a woman's. This is not just an issue pertaining to sexualizing women’s bodies. It is more of a sexist attack by the patriarchy on powerful women. It is more about questioning women's choices regarding their bodily autonomy.

Hillary Clinton has often been criticised for wearing her signature pantsuits. She has been receiving flack for not wearing "feminine" clothing. If revealing arms was the problem, then why is another woman wearing a suit that covers her entire body a problem? The first woman congress member, Jeannette Rankin, who took office in 1917, was criticised for her "feminine" style of dressing. A headline in the Washington Post read, "Congresswoman Rankin Real Girl; Likes Nice Gowns and Tidy Hair." The post described Rankin as "thoroughly feminine"—her soft gowns, her swirled hairdo, and her French heels became topics of discussion. Shouldn’t the media have been discussing her work and lauding her achievements?

So basically, the clothing choice isn't, or rather, never was, the problem; it has always been about women being powerful, independent, and bold. Clothing is just a mere excuse to pull women down, drag them into useless controversies, and to spoil their reputation.

It’s just another proof that patriarchy is terrified of women with a voice, women who can make bold decisions, and women who do not confine themselves to social standards.

The larger issue is society's focus on women's clothing rather than their identity, achievements, contributions, and success. Trying to pull women down by citing their dressing style as a reason isn’t going to deter them. It only goes to show how low patriarchy will stoop to deprive women of their bodily autonomy. What is the appropriate dress code if women are chastised for wearing gowns, pantsuits, and sleeveless? Why should women fret over others' opinions of their clothing if whatever they wear is going to be criticised?

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Views expressed by author are their own