Mexico Proposes Ban on Revealing Clothing Including 'Miniskirts'

Published 05 Sep.2022 13:39(KST)

"All Acts Producing Stereotypes About Women Should Be Considered Labor Violence"
Under Discussion at the Senate Committee for Gender Equality and Legislative Research

A bill has been proposed in Mexico to prohibit wearing revealing clothing in public places such as restaurants and bars. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Juri] A bill has been proposed in Mexico to prohibit wearing revealing clothing such as miniskirts in public places like restaurants and bars.

On the 4th (local time), according to local media El Universal, Juan Cepeda, a senator from the Mexican political party Movimiento Ciudadano (Citizen Movement), recently submitted a revision bill to the legislature titled "Law to Guarantee a Life Free from Violence Against Women."

The amendment focuses on banning employees in spaces serving the general public, such as restaurants or bars, from wearing outfits like miniskirts or tops with low necklines. The bill states that such clothing induces gender discrimination.

Senator Cepeda explained the background of the bill, saying, "Any act that reproduces stereotypes and gender violence against women working in restaurants should be considered labor violence." He added, "In some establishments, employees are even encouraged to wear short skirts, which exposes them to various types of attacks such as harassment."

Article 11 of the "Law to Guarantee a Life Free from Violence Against Women," posted on the Mexican government website, defines labor violence as "illegal acts that do not comply with general working conditions."

Specifically, this includes unfair work exclusion, threats, intimidation, insults, exploitation, and discrimination such as not guaranteeing the designated breastfeeding period.

Meanwhile, sexual crimes, especially sexual harassment and molestation, have become major social issues in Mexico. According to a recent local survey, 96% of Mexican women have experienced sexual harassment or molestation on the streets, subways, or buses.