Flogging for wearing pants

A woman in Sudan faces flogging for wearing a pair of pants.

I'm sorry -- this is wrong. There isn't a cultural excuse that applies.

Yes, I can understand laws saying "our nation values modesty so no exposed legs" or, say, banning pork or even banning meat altogether.

But beating a woman for wearing pants? Wrong.

The Toronto Star did an article on this story (a good article) but noted as follows:

"In fact, however, the contemporary practice tends to be considerably milder, at least in some Muslim countries where floggings or canings are intended more to cause shame than to inflict intense physical suffering."

This may be true but it does sound like special pleading. Moreover, even if the punishment was, say, a month in a humane jail I'd still say it's wrong.

The problem is that punishment is being given for an act that ought not to be punished.
James Morton
1100-5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M2N 6P4

416 225 2777