Chechen authorities have banned the use of male elements in women's clothing

The Ministry of Culture of Chechnya has appealed to designers with a warning about the prohibition of using elements in women's clothing that originally belong to men's national clothing.

The agency wrote about the ban on November 14 on its page on the social network Instagram*. She recalled that "such a practice contradicts the traditional foundations and cultural values of the Chechen people, where for centuries there has been a clear distinction between male and female attributes - both in clothing and in symbols."

As an example, the Ministry of Culture of the republic cited gazyri (a rifle charge consisting of gunpowder and a paper cartridge or bullet, they were worn in cartridge slots sewn on the chest). The agency noted that initially the gas chambers had "practical and symbolic significance" - powder charges were stored in them, and over time they became "a sign of courage, honor and a protective spirit." The use of these elements in women's clothing is perceived as "an encroachment on male symbols and a violation of age-old traditions."

By creating modern collections and developing Chechen brands, designers should, according to the Ministry of Culture, maintain respect for the traditions and cultural codes of the people, thereby showing "maturity, respect for history and spiritual continuity."

As of 01:30 Moscow time, the message had 256 likes and dozens of complementary comments from the categories "correct" and "that's right." "This is a correct and timely message. Women's national clothing itself has a deep aesthetic and meaning, and does not need to borrow masculine attributes. The preservation of cultural codes is our shared responsibility," wrote, for example, S.amira_6126. "And I've always said that," abdurakhmanova_95 supported the ban.

The human rights project Marem responded to the ban. On their Instagram account, the human rights activists asked: "Maybe the Ministry of Culture should promote values such as respect for women and non-violence?" It should be noted that this publication has gained 235 likes and many comments of a different nature in approximately the same time.

"Probably, there are no more problems," suggested patya_stilist. "Is it necessary to be worthless and weak inside in order to be infringed on this small detail? I'm sure anyone with courage has never even noticed what's on women's clothes," zuuu2014 noted.

"Afghanistan 2.0 keeps coming and coming," 001arr prophesies. "Honor killings" are just about preserving traditions," says a user with the nickname dnevniki goryanki.

At the same time, there are also approving comments. "That's right, nokhchi, respect from Dagestan," tseriyas_uzhi writes. "You did the right thing," says zalina_14_11_8.

Earlier, the "Caucasian Knot" wrote that the assistant to the head of Chechnya, Amir Sugaipov, who also has the status of "youth curator" in the republic, said that "explanatory conversations" would be held with girls who do not wear headscarves and with their parents. Human rights activists criticized this decision.

In summer, four women's clothing stores were closed in Grozny at the request of the authorities, whose advertising on social networks was considered inappropriate by the authorities. Assistant to the head of Chechnya, Amir Sugaipov, called on shopkeepers not to use photos without a headdress and from the back in advertising, promising otherwise measures of influence. Some users of the social network approved the closure of stores for advertising inconsistency with the ideas of the Chechen authorities about morality, others considered it excessive.