Is It WRONG For Women To Use Their Feminine Powers For Favors? Kenyans React

By Florence Mukunya

Unlike the olden days, women have now become career women; they have ditched the house chores and are now embracing the career world. But is it as easy as they thought or have they been forced to employ other tactics so as to get and also remain in the work place?

Recently a female friend who works with a company looking to downsize very soon was complaining of how she might lose her job to a colleague who dresses very provocatively in the office in the excuse that if she keeps her male manager ‘excited’ she will not be on the chopping list, “Her performance on the other hand leaves something to be desired,” she said.

Well I randomly spoke to a good number of people on the issue. Is it a crime for women to use their feminine powers to gain favors at work place or to get an upper hand?

“This is a very sensitive issue for one,” says Mr. Issac Omari adding that, “As a gate man with a certain factory where they hire a lot of casuals you see most of these people do not bother to dress official as recommended by the company. So part of my job is to monitor their dressing and the ones we think do not meet the company’s standard are sent home to change.

He confesses that, “You will find ladies wearing all manner of clothes. From miniskirts to the tightest clothes you have ever seen. One time I sent a lady home for dressing skimpily not knowing she was there because she had a god father in the factory whom she said did not mind how she dresses ,well let’s say my job almost ended there,” says Omari.

His conclusion? “Sometimes I feel that women should not expose their bodies especially when working with in a mixed gender environment but then again, whom am I to dictate what a person should wear?”

However, some of the people I posed this question to do not share Omaris sentiments.

Grace Chuma* works in the tourism industry and she feels that she should be allowed to dress however she feels

“When I applied for the job, the application stated that I should be smart and presentable, that’s what I feel when I dress in a short skirt, not to mention my legs attract a lot of attention, I don’t do it to gain an upper hand or gain favors at work I just dress like that because I like it and I am comfortable wth how I look.”

Speaking to a gentle man who did not want to reveal his name he says that he is quite aware that women will dress in a certain way so as to gain what they want, not only at work but also in life in general.

“You will find some ladies coming to the office with let’s say an over exposed cleavage or a short tight skirt. It’s okay if that’s what she feels comfortable in.” He however adds that, “Trouble comes in when she starts adjusting it because all ‘over sudden’ she realizes that the garments don’t fit.”

One Miss Kemunto says she used to be very angry and annoyed at these women who use their bodies to manipulate people at work place.

She especially points out that there was a time she felt she was not noticed at her work because of her small chest compared to the rest of her colleagues. “Let’s just say they were blessed in the department.” She adds that just because she dressed in lose pants and didn’t seem to appeal to the male dominated environment was something that made her ‘lag’ behind.

But she is a changed woman now. She confesses that, “Nowadays I always make sure that I am on top of the game with how I dress, something I think has made me rise from the junior staff level to the head of department in my office. She is however quick to add that, “Even if looking good played a role in it, my hard work was also key.”

What do you think about this topic….Is it the perfect scenario of damned if you do, damned if you don’t?

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