Cambodian women post swimwear photos to protest dress code law

The proposed law would prohibit women from wearing anything ‘too short’ and ban men from going out shirtless

An online petition condemning the draft legislation has got 14,000 signatures so far

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Cambodian women have rallied on social media to condemn a proposed law. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Published: 6:30am, 7 Aug 2020Updated: 2:52pm, 7 Aug 2020

Cambodian women have rallied on social media to condemn a proposed law governing the way people dress in public, including by posting images of themselves in swimwear and skimpy outfits, with a petition also set up to block the move.

Billed as necessary to preserve Cambodian tradition, the law would prohibit women from wearing anything deemed “too short” or “too see-through” and has drawn criticism for being vague and encouraging a culture of victim blaming.

The draft legislation, which will take effect next year if approved by several government ministries and the national assembly, would also ban men from going out shirtless in the socially conservative Southeast Asian country.

“Congrats, we’re going back to 1960s,” artist Lisa Mam posted on Facebook.

Painters, filmmakers, writers and musicians were among those criticising the law, with some questioning the role of the ministry for women’s affairs as restrictions on women’s appearance increase.

Multiple spokespeople from the ministry declined to comment or did not respond to requests.