Inkosi bans ‘distracting’ miniskirts in schools: Mzimba girls petition chiefs

Traditional Authority Khosolo of Mzimba district has said school going children should not wear mini-skirts, saying  they are distracting male teachers and fuelling earsly sexual activity amongst students.

The Inkosi said the practice of wearing mini-skirts among school going children creates a burning desire in men who end up coax them into marriages.

He announced the ‘ban’ when girls in Mzimba South East presented the  petition to chiefs in the area to take action and enforce by-laws that will protect the girls from the rising cases of early marriages in the area.

Teenagers who show too much leg face being sent home.

Presenting the Petition to Inkosi Khosolo on Sunday, Kondwani Phiri said as girls, under Khosolo Foundation for Development, with support from Action aid thought to petition the chiefs following the rising cases of early marriages in the area.

She said chiefs in the area should to take an immediate action and come up with by-laws that will protect the girls against the malpractice.

Phiri said unending harmful cultural practices such as keeping girl’s in-door when they reach puberty is one problem which entices them into early marriages.

She said “There are some cultural practices where parents keep their girl-children indoor after they reach puberty stage and they are told everything about marriage and how to handle a man which sometimes compels us to get married.

“Parents see their girl-children as a source for riches after they get married and they prioritize boy’s education while girls are pushed into early marriages.”

Khosolo welcomed the petition saying he will soon call all his chiefs and other education Authorities to formulate the by-laws to end the malpractice and support the girls.

Primary School Education Advisor for Chizani Zone, Roselyn Mabaso lack of role models like female teachers is also one factor which affecting girls’ motivation in school.