Dozens arrested in assault on Kenyan woman after march against miniskirt attacks

Women take part in a protest along a main street in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi Nov 17, 2014. The demonstrators were demanding justice for a woman who was attacked and stripped recently in Nairobi by men who claimed that she was dressed indecently.
Women take part in a protest along a main street in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi Nov 17, 2014. The demonstrators were demanding justice for a woman who was attacked and stripped recently in Nairobi by men who claimed that she was dressed indecently. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

NAIROBI (REUTERS) - Kenyan police have arrested dozens of men suspected of stripping naked a woman in public on the grounds she was indecently dressed, just after a protest against similar attacks, local media reported on Tuesday.

The attack took place on Monday evening after nearly 1,000 women and men had marched through Nairobi to demonstrate against a series of public assaults on women for wearing miniskirts or other clothing perceived to be immodest.

The woman was taken to hospital, treated for injuries and discharged, Nairobi Deputy Police Commander Moses Ombati told Reuters. He said several people had been arrested but he did not give figures.

Local newspaper websites put the number of those detained at up to 90 or 100.

The march, mostly by women, was a rare public display of support for women's rights in Kenya, where sex crimes are rarely prosecuted.

The incidents of women being stripped were condemned in Kenya's parliament.

"Who defines decent dressing?," said lawmaker Cecily Mbarire. "What are we exposing our women to? These women are your wives, your sisters, your aunties."

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.