The Alangizi Association of Zambia says girls and women must not use the summer season as an excuse to dress indecently.
Association executive director Iris Phiri observes that indecent summer wear among some women is putting men in awkward situations.
“Some women and girls are wearing very bad clothes because of this weather. It’s very embarrassing, especially this season, when you go into town or some shopping malls like Manda Hill, Levy and Arcades. You will find girls and elderly women almost naked and you wonder what goes on in their minds to dress like that,” she says.
“Some women and girls will be in these small shorts and trousers that show their waists and it’s like exposing their underwear has also become fashion to them. What is worse is that some ladies and older women are wearing tiny clothes exposing beads tied round their waists, which is a taboo in our Zambian culture.”
Phiri urges girls and women to be mindful of their dressing, adding that indecent dressing is not only disturbing to some men but also to the elderly.
“These so-called summer wears are very disturbing and tempting to men. You should be ashamed of yourselves for promoting such indecent dress codes in our country,” she says.
Phiri appeals to Zambians not to embrace foreign cultures which they are not familiar with.
She also urges men to be cautious with such women and girls and not to be lured by their nakedness.
“Who is interested in seeing the colour of your underwear or the brand you are wearing? Who wants to see those beads around your waist? We are not interested! That is why we are asking you to change your dressing, please,” she says.
“You should understand that Westerners created some of those clothes you wear for specific functions. You will find some women and girls wearing clothes made for nightclub girls, dancers and strippers, in broad daylight.”
She advises girls and women to realise that Zambia is a Christian nation and that certain behaviours are offensive to many individuals.
“Tikupempani azimai, please chinjani mavalidwe yanu (We plead with you women, please change your dressing),” says Phiri.