Indecent advice to women

The Shanghai subway sparked a heated debate by posting photos of "improperly dressed" women online. However, it's improper for the metro authority to do so, says an article in Oriental Morning Post. Excerpts:

The Shanghai Metro posted some photos on its micro blog in which women's bras and panties can been seen through their dresses. It advised women to dress decently to avoid sexual harassment.

Though the company's view was controversial, with many people denouncing it, the company insists its intention was to help women. The company refused to delete the pictures and failed to respond to the question of whether it is legal to use passengers' pictures without their permission.

Obviously in the metro company's eyes, women wearing see-through dresses "invite" sexual harassment and should take the blame for any harassment.

Supporters of such opinions want women to dress "decently", but there isn't a standard for what is decent nowadays. For example, evening gowns for business dinners or the theater are designed to expose a lot of skin on the back and arms, so according to the Shanghai metro company's stance they are indecent.

Even more serious, the company's unauthorized use of the women's pictures is sexual harassment, it is no different to those men with "dirty eyes".

The examination of what women are wearing with the excuse of decency always gains support in a patriarchal society.

Insisting on such stance is in defiance not only of how women dress, but also their appearance in public places.

(China Daily 06/27/2012 page11)