Shine OnFemale university students in Tajikistan required to wear high heels for uniform
Just when you thought high heels couldn’t symbolize sexism anymore than they already do, a university in Tajikistan (a country that borders Afghanistan) has instituted a formal dress code requiring female students to wear heels, reports Emma Sabzalieva in her blog about education in central Asia.
According to Sabzalieve, the new rule was first reported in the national newspaper Asia-Plus and the story has received heavy backlash on the paper’s Facebook page.
“Public reaction on Asia-Plus’ Facebook page [ru/tj] has been one of both outrage, disbelief and lack of surprise. Here’s a typical (repeatable!) quote: ‘Where is Tajikistan and its government heading? Rather than starting with high heels… it would be better to strengthen teaching, stop bribe-taking and simply give students the chance to study…’”
Women at Tajik State Pedagogical University in the country’s capital Dushanbe are required not only to wear heels no more than four inches (about 10 cm), but also only clothes of one solid colour. And in fact, the university previously banned men from growing beards, something religious Muslim men often do.
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It would appear the university is trying to remove heavy Islamic practices and clothing.
Yet while Tajikistan is known for its greater secular sensibilities, legal acceptance of gays, and nominally democratic processes -- the Canadian government cautions travelers that homosexuality is still not widely accepted and to dress conservatively while adhering to cultural norms.
By contrast to Afghanistan, however, the country seems decidedly liberal.
Afghanistan follows Sharia law (a fraction of Islam) that does not allow women to wear clothing that shows even the skin of their ankles. Homosexual and extramarital affairs are illegal and displaying affection in public is considered an offence. The Canadian government warns that taking photos of Afghanistan government buildings, military installations, and palaces is prohibited.
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As for Sabzalieva, she simply takes issue with the fact that Tajik State Pedagogical University's dress code is repressive, regardless of its intention.
“I read through Asia-Plus’ latest reportage on the situation with complete bewilderment. Could it really be that the Rector believes that ordering such a dress code (which is much more explicit than the national dress code for university students)…will enhance female students’ learning experience? Will it make them smarter or better equipped to learn? Of course, the answer is no,” she writes.
Do you think women students wearing heels to school in a country like Tajikistan is a good thing? Or should authorities simply stay out of the closets of the public?
