Modesty is Not Oppression

With feminists around the globe starting to adopt more revealing attire as an act of defiance towards societal norms, many have started to state that women who wear modest clothing are 'oppressed' and want to 'attract attention'. They state that modest women conform to society's expectations to avoid 'provoking' men. However, while some women in some places might dress modestly due to these reasons, which is wrong, others dress modestly for completely different reasons.

More often than not, the mentality with which modest attire is chosen is because women believe that others don't deserve to see their beauty. Their beauty is too pure to be seen by the public eye. Only people close to them can see it. People cannot ruin what they don't know about, hence, modest attire is also, in a way, a choice to preserve and remain humble about one's beauty. 

Think of a pearl inside an oyster. It remains protected within its shell, shielded from damage and impurity. The shell doesn’t hide the pearl because it is ashamed of it; rather, it preserves its beauty and worth. Similarly, modest attire is not about oppression but about valuing one’s self and choosing to share one’s beauty selectively.

It also signifies how the woman wearing it believes that she is equal to others. It also represents the importance of knowing one's heart instead of their physical appearance and showcases the values of the woman wearing it: humility, equality, self-respect, grace, and gratitude.

Additionally, many believe that modesty is a way of conforming to societal norms and believing in the 'don't provoke men' mindset, which is false. Modesty is, in a way, the means for a woman to defend herself against potential rapists, but not in the way you think. 

Studies have shown that when rapists were questioned about how they targeted their victims, many stated that they selected women wearing less clothing—not because they were 'provoked' by the attire (though that could be a factor, which is appalling), but because minimal clothing made it easier for them to carry out their crime. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that rapists attack regardless of what their victims are wearing. While modesty cannot guarantee safety, it can serve as one of many precautions a woman may choose to take for self-defense. The focus here is not on blaming victims but on empowering individuals with knowledge about personal safety.

Think about it, you wouldn't leave your house unlocked just because you think robbers shouldn't rob others. That's stupid. There will be people who will rob you, whether you like it or not, who do not care about the consequences of their actions. And you're only putting yourself in danger by leaving your doors unlocked. Similarly, modesty serves as your house's lock in this metaphor. 

Women who dress modestly aren't attention-seeking, the same way women who wear revealing clothing aren't. They do not have a religious superiority complex and neither are they extremists (some of them might be, but some should not represent an entire group of people).

The way a person dresses is a choice only they can make for themselves. If you have a problem with the way some women want to dress modestly, then you're the actual oppressor here, for not respecting their choices or wishes. It is their body, their choice, their life. And you have no say in it.

In conclusion, modest attire is a choice — not oppression. It is a form of self-expression that reflects a woman's values and personality. Those who pressure women to abandon modesty are just as oppressive as those who force them to dress a certain way. True empowerment lies in respecting a woman's autonomy over her own clothing, whether she chooses modesty or not. This is a call to action for everyone to uphold that respect. A call to action for letting women dress however the hell they want.