Peru moves to ban nail polish, short skirts in schools

Lima, Peru - Human rights advocates have voiced their opposition to a proposed government plan to impose strict dress codes in schools. The measures include banning nail polish, short skirts for girls and long hair for boys. President Keiko Fujimori, elected in July on a law-and-order platform, defended the restrictions, stating that "order should not only reign in the streets, it must also return to our schools, our classrooms."

She unveiled a series of measures, from permanently expelling unruly students to banning makeup and hair dye.

Education Minister Jose Chang added that the government will also restrict nail varnish use and dictate the appropriate length for school skirts. The president and minister linked these proposals to their intention to curb bullying, sexual harassment and violence in educational institutions. However, two feminist NGOs – the Manuela Ramos Movement and the Flora Tristan Peruvian Women's Centre – dismissed this rationale.

They argued that controlling personal appearance doesn't prevent sexual assault or other forms of school violence.

The National Human Rights Coordinator described the restrictions as "populist and authoritarian." The government plans to publish the proposals for public consultation before making a final decision.