Focus on Africa - Are dress codes restricting women's freedom?
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There’s been a growing debate on social media about women’s clothing, personal freedom and cultural values, following incidents in Rwanda and Tanzania where women faced consequences over what they wore. In Rwanda, women were reportedly stopped by police and denied entry to a music concert for wearing miniskirts and tight-fitting clothes. President Paul Kagame later defended dress codes in public spaces, saying freedom of expression should respect cultural values. Meanwhile, Tanzanian singer Nandy was recently fined for wearing a diamond catsuit. BBC Focus on Africa spoke to two young women, Kea Sefako from Cape Town, South Africa, and Lez Muriithi from Nairobi, Kenya, to hear their perspectives on dress codes for women.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producers: Priya Sippy and Bella Twine
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
Published on Friday, 6th November 2026.
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