Ellie Watmuff
WVoN co-editor

Parts of the South African city of Johannesburg came to a standstill on Friday over a mass debate on miniskirts.

The Women’s League arm of the governing African National Congress (ANCWL) led a march against gender-based violence to the High Court, in protest at the treatment of two women who were hassled at a Noord Street taxi rank last December.

The women were groped and shouted at by a group of men on account of their clothing; one wore a miniskirt and the other had a visible bra strap.

The march, led by one of the victims, commenced from Bree street taxi rank, with a heavy police presence. Many walkers, reportedly including men, donned miniskirts in a show of solidarity.

Justice Minister Jeff Radebe signed a memorandum of understanding at the court, vowing that the justice system would back efforts to curtail violence against women and children. Radebe said those who told women what to wear were not freedom fighters.

“The struggle for freedom has always been the struggle for human rights, the struggle for women’s empowerment.”

He said he showed his support “because I like miniskirts”, a comment which was well received by the assembled crowd, who applauded his sentiment.

Premier of Gauteng, the province containing Johannesburg, Nomvula Mokonyane spoke out about the importance of the march, stating that no one could enjoy human rights while women and children lived in fear of abuse, and highlighted the particular role of the taxi industry in joining the crusade against sexual harassment:

“It is their duty to respect human rights… taxi drivers, taxi commuters: no one should allow violence against women and children,” she said.

“As women, we are proud of our bodies, we are proud of our mini skirts.”

Lulu Xingwana, the country´s Minister of Women, said the march was in support of the women’s movement and gay rights and revealed that the Noord Street taxi rank would be closed down unless improvement was seen in attitudes towards women’s liberal rights;

“Real men don’t rape women, real men love and respect women,” she said.

“No one has the right to [commit] corrective rape. Rape is rape.”

“Corrective rape”, in which men rape lesbians in what they see as an attempt to “correct” their sexual orientation appears to be on the increase in South Africa (see WVoN coverage).

Xingwana pledged that the ANCWL would work to rid South Africa of sexual harassment, city by city.

Another march is due to be held in Sunnyside, Pretoria on March 8 to increase awareness for the cause.