I recently attempted to visit the Ministerial Complex and was stopped by a security guard from Bonafide Security company.
She said to me that my long-sleeved knee length dress was too short and she could not allow me to enter. I had to ask her if she was serious since at the same time workers of the ministry in skirts above the knee and men with ¾ shorts were being allowed to enter.
What baffled me even more is that the adjacent governmental buildings which carry the same rules of no short pants, and no sleeveless garments, allowed you to enter as you are.
I believe it is time for us to refocus. Let us refocus on the things that are important. Now, while we do not expect one to dress in one’s carnival outfit to enter a governmental establishment, what does one’s outfit have to do with the business being carried out?
We live on a tropical island and while we must show respect in the way we dress it is time that these antiquated rules at the Ministry be abolished as it has no impact on our advancement other than hindering citizens from getting their business done.
If we do insist however on keeping these ancient rules we must be just and fair in how it is enforced. If men can enter with their legs out, so should women, because if my knee length dress is not allowed then a ¾ short pants should not either.
Citizen for Advancement