Island of Banished Shorts

Following up from the Academic drivel the other day, in the paper today is the annoucement that all women in Bougainville are forbidden to where shorts or trousers. The decree has come from various Chiefs who obviously still have some sway there (and no sense).

Their reasoning is along the same lines as my uni colleague, shorts and trousers promote violence against women. Nice to know they're thinking about their safety, but paaaalease, get real old men.

Skirts seem to be alright, though I wonder though how high they can go. And as was pointed out by 'The Drum' column, what would the chiefs say if the meris went back to wearing their traditional clothing - grass skirts, bare tops.

Islandbaby has a good insight into the thoughts of a modern woman in PNG and tackled this little topic on Monday - check it out as it is a good read.