Two Hundred Year Old Law on Women in Trousers Revoked

A two century old law which bans Parisian women from wearing trousers in public has been annulled, courtesy the initiative taken by France's minister of women's rights, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem.

The law which was passed on November 7, 1799, gave the police the power to arrest Parisian women if they wore trousers in Paris. For years there have been enough discussions of revoking this law, but it is only now that some positive action has taken place.

Najat Vallaud-Belkacem told Le Parisien, 'This law is incompatible with the principles of equality between men and women which is laid out in the constitution and in France's European commitments.'

Going back to history, this restriction came about in the period following the French revolution during the 'sans culottes' movement. Women had to adhere to strict restrictions on their clothing before and after the revolution.



Source: Medindia