A protest by an advocacy group, Serve With Skirts Movement, on Wednesday, calling for the inclusion of skirts in the outfit of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has sparked a series of reactions on social media.

The females among the protesters were dressed in khaki skirts to replace their usual NYSC khaki trousers.

Over the years, some religious faithful, mostly Christians, have been clamouring for the inclusion of skirts in NYSC uniform. The call gained more traction lately following the approval of hijab for Muslim corps members in 2019.

The protesters who stormed Abuja carried placards with inscriptions like “there is a difference between the world and the daughters of God” and “our sisters cannot dress like men.”

Another banner with photos purportedly showing how female corps members dressed in the past with skirts had inscriptions like:

“This was how female corpers were dressed in 1976.”

“I am a female this is how I should dress as a corper – Deut 22:5″

Leader of the group Udochi Emmanuel while speaking to newsmen stated that being harassed for wearing skirts in NYSC orientation camps breached their fundamental human rights under Section 38(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Udochi also stated that wearing of trousers has led to an increase in the level of immorality in NYSC orientation camps.

She said:

“We had our mothers wearing skirts and we want to go back to that.

“We have asked for exemption (sic) severally. NYSC has not given that as an option, they have made it a compulsory one-year service for everyone below the age of 30 and they are mandated to wear those clothes.

“We have already started negotiations (with government) and we hope that from this dialogue we will get a favorable response.”

She also disclosed that they will seek redress in court if their demand is not met

Photos of the protest have been met with mixed reactions on Twitter.

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Some Twitter users are frowning at the protesters for abandoning “pressing issues” like an increase in the monthly allowance of corps members to advocate for the inclusion of skirt in NYSC uniform.

A Twitter user @Tife_fabunmi wrote:

“Fighting for skirts to be included in NYSC uniform??? Instead of fighting for an increase in the allawee. Lol, instead of fighting for Corp members getting PPA that will help their choice of career. Instead of fighting for enough jobs after NYSC. This country na AYLive.”

“Well, we can all fight for what we want. We have the right to. But we have more pressing issues to fight for together than this, we can do this after. Love and Light,” he added

 

See other reactions:

 

NYSC is trending and it’s not because of an increment in allowance but because of skirt?
How would you complete drills and training with your skirt? When climbing, do you expect all the guys to close their eyes not to see what’s under your skirt?
What if you were a soldier?

— Funny?Banter (@iTv001) January 17, 2020

 

 

Why will you protest that skirt should be included in NYSC uniform? Like is it worth it?

Who is driving the bus of this country I want to get down.. ??

— Cousin_C.Ronaldo.? (@Timi_CR7) January 17, 2020

They’re fighting for skirts to be included in NYSC you’re busy complaining. They chose to fight for what matters to them atm. Some of you are currently serving while some of you served already. What did you fight for? Oh yes! You fought on twitter. ?

— Richard Omo Ibo (@MeetTheRichard) January 17, 2020

The only reason why I will campaign for skirts in NYSC is so that there will be less restrictions of coital movement, and a reduction of soldiers casting people for being human.

Everything will be faster in those hidden camp corners. Initiation. Copulation. Orgasm. Escape.

— Joey Akan (@JoeyAkan) January 17, 2020

We will still be on this app when videos of religious NYSC babes exposing their Pants while trying to cross obstacles start trending. What a dumb idea! pic.twitter.com/HHK0YlxNoO

— New Name Loading ? (@tonyeminue) January 17, 2020

Nigerians are so fucking dumb, NYSC is a paramilitary program that often requires being in rugged situations, protesting so that you can wear a skirt is just stupid.

— Art. (@LadyDreyx) January 17, 2020

If you don’t wanna serve with the rules and the uniform. Don’t serve. Just go home and sleep or do whatever.
NYSC has rules and regulations,how are you going to function with skirts? Or you want to be a cook and cleaner in the camp? I don’t get!

— Lisa (@Adaolis_a) January 17, 2020

LMAO, if I’m NYSC DG eeeh, i will just give dem ONE options, Wear skit and forfeit your NYSC Thats all.

People wey head dey pain for yansh, and again Those Daughters of the World wey dey that banner make dem sue their ass https://t.co/1QiqVlwzKe

— ?Sàngó Olúkòso? (@Otunbakush1) January 17, 2020

These folks have clearly forgotten the purpose of the NYSC scheme or have greatly chosen to ignore it or perhaps don’t even know it in the first place. The scheme serves a purpose, It represents oneness. You as a Corp member are a symbol of Unity. pic.twitter.com/bdMLXd7vuS

— Pitah (@PeteOdiase) January 17, 2020

Of all things to advocate for in NYSC, it is skirt, asin skirt?? Not better allawee, not better job placements, not better ways of CDS but skirt. Who will save us from misplaced priorities as youth and as leaders?

— Sarbyen? (@Sarbyen_) January 17, 2020

I can’t believe some females want to wear skirt for NYSC ? ? for why?? the Bible talked against a particular sex wearing what belongs to the opposite sex abi? Pls get it right that the trouser you wear for NYSC was meant for you not for a guy!#NYSC

— Jide Oduleke (@la_jide) January 17, 2020

Who did we offend in this country self. You are not fighting for increase in alawee,corpers welfare,jobs after NYSC,you are fighting for NYSC Skirt. And you people will say Buhari is our problem.#smh

— Sodunke fadeelar (@toes_footwear) January 17, 2020

 

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