Karnataka panel: Change girls' uniform to churidar/pants

BENGALURU: The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has recommended to the state education department to change girls' school uniform from skirt to churidar or pants.
The recommendation followed a letter from an assistant director of women and child welfare department in Kalaburagi to the commission on the inconveniences faced by girls wearing skirts.
The letter dated May 15 said girls are of shy nature and find wearing skirts a hurdle when travelling, moving around in crowded areas, cycling or participating in sports activities. The letter added there have been reports of sexual harassment. Citing that girls have often expressed discomfort with wearing skirts, it suggested that their uniform be changed to churidar or pants.
On May 17, the KSCPCR chairman wrote a letter to the commissioner, department of school education and literacy, highlighting this recommendation from the women and child welfare department official. "There is also public opinion in this regard. Therefore, according to the department's rules, if there is an opportunity to change the uniform design, the department should take necessary action to facilitate all round development of children and for their safety," the letter said.
"This is a recommendation that we have made. It is up to the education department to decide. Not only have there been recommendations from officials, we have also interacted with girls from rural areas. They have all expressed their discomfort in wearing skirts while playing or cycling to school. A change in uniform - churidar or pants - can take this worry off their mind," said K Naganna Gowda, chairman of KSCPCR.
Gender activist Tara Krishnaswamy said that the recommendation would have been good if they had indeed considered girls' opinion."That there is sexual harassment is a male problem and that should be addressed with the boys. Girls should not be forced to dress a certain way because men are not groomed not to misbehave; it is misogynistic and makes boys believe that they control women's bodies and clothing," she said.
Child rights activist Nagasimha G Rao said, "The department and KSCPCR should have a consultation with children. Currently, all decisions are being taken by the managements or department and are imposed upon them. But if we give them the responsibility, they will choose what is best for them."