Every year, we wear miniskirts and chant, “My koekie my keuse” through Independence Avenue, holding up posters with writings of, “my body, my choice” and “no to slut shaming”. Every year, misogynists argue that we are looking for it through their victim-blaming agenda and the Christians say we are tempting the men; yet, forward we march, with our voices occupying all the corners in Nelson Mandela Drive and Ausspanplatz Avenue. 

This year, the ‘slutshame walk’ will be no different. We will wear our booty shorts and show our bellies and thunder thighs; yet, we still will not be asking for it. While we are here, let me remind you of Jo Freeman’s essay of 1969, ‘The Bitch Manifesto’.  

For those of you who do not know what this essay is about, let me give you a summary. The essay critiques how women are expected to behave in society and call for women to reclaim the word “bitch” as a term of power and self-identification. This should give you an idea of just how long this fight has been; yet, here we are. Freeman’s essay was influential in the feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s and helped to popularise the term ‘bitch’ as a symbol of feminist empowerment. It has since become a classic text in feminist literature and continues to inspire women today to challenge gender norms and fight for gender equality; fighting men who are raping women and blaming it on their behaviour, sexual orientation and personality or character. 

In the essay, Freeman argues that women are often conditioned to be passive, accommodating  and self-effacing, which leads to them being marginalised and oppressed in various ways. She asserts that women should reject these societal expectations and assert themselves in all areas of their lives, including their relationships and their careers. As such, it is vital to remember that, just because a woman is dressed in booty shorts and a crop top, it does not mean she is incapable of having a seat on the board of any company. It doesn’t mean she is not smart enough to run a business and make it work. Women dressed however they see fit and there is no set of identity attached to it. Women are allowed to have a million personalities and be successful with all of them.

In this case, before you start arguing that this is another way for women to display their hoe behaviour in public, please understand the reason behind it. The ‘slut-shame walk’ is used metaphorically to describe the experience of someone who has been subjected to the stigma or harassment of being labelled as a ‘slut’, ‘whore’, or ‘promiscuous’. The walk is a symbolic act of defiance against the societal norms that shame women for their sexuality or sexual behaviour, and a refusal to internalise or accept such judgment.

This is our way of reclaiming back our power and agency over our sexuality, and challenging the oppressive and judgmental attitudes that can limit personal freedom and expression. If you see me on Saturday, the 22nd of April at Ausspanplatz with my booty shorts, understand that I do not owe you anything and I am not asking for it. The fellow women and allies I will be marching along with, they are not asking for it. They are not easy or lose or sluts. They are women and you should show them respect. 

* Frieda Mukufa’s lifestyle section in the New Era newspaper concentrates on women-related issues and parenting. She also specialises in editing research proposals, proofreading as well as content creation.

- etuholefrieda@gmail.com