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Kuala Lumpur Man Wants To Know Why Women Like to Wear Tight Leggings While Jogging

He claims that it is distressing for him to see women wearing such attire in the morning.

Cover image via Kampus Production/Pexels

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Editor's note: The story has been updated to include sexual harassment.

A man from Kuala Lumpur recently voiced his concerns and discomfort in a public Facebook group with over 150,000 members about women wearing close-fitting leggings while jogging

The man began by questioning why women prefer leggings, contrasting it with men's sportswear.

In the post, which has garnered hundreds of comments, the man detailed his experience of finding many women's jogging attire "unpleasant, not beautiful, and disgusting", claiming it ruins his mornings.

"I'm sorry if my question offends any women, [but] why do women like to wear leggings while jogging? The challenge I face every morning while sending my child to school is seeing women's buttocks," he said, suggesting that some women's jogging attire is so revealing that it might even startle religious men.

Emphasising that he's not a pervert, the man argued that women jogging in traffic forces drivers to inadvertently notice their bodies

"I'm not a pervert, I'm not lecherous," he said.

"What's more challenging is that many of them jog with the traffic flow and don't seem concerned about cars approaching from behind. Drivers have to be cautious, so sometimes, it's unavoidable to see their buttocks displayed without shame.

"If they jog against the traffic, it's a bit better because you don't see their buttocks," he argued.

He suggested that women should learn from men, who he claimed wear more modest attire.

"Most men who jog are more modest, opting for capri pants, and if they wear leggings, they usually wear them under shorts. Even if they wear shorts, men don't wear tight ones. So, why don't women do the same?

"More sadly, many women wear headscarves, but from the waist down, it's as if they are naked," he stated.

Image used for illustration purposes only.

Image via Greg Rosenke/Unsplash

In his post, the man stated that while he understands clothing is an individual right and acknowledges the need to lower his gaze, he suggested that it would be ideal if women co-operated with men by wearing more modest attire

He ends his post by referencing Islamic scholar Dr Zakir Naik's views, urging men to not let their "mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, and younger sisters turn into public property to be viewed sexually by the public".

The post has since sparked mixed reactions online, with some agreeing with the man's perspective on modesty, while others voiced their opposition, saying his comments are objectifying and controlling.

The man's behaviour constitutes sexual harassment under the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (ASHA) 2022, according to independent broadcast journalist and gender activist Tehmina Kaoosji

Following the publication of this SAYS article, Tehmina highlighted that ASHA 2022 defines sexual harassment as any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, in any form, whether verbal, non-verbal, visual, gestural or physical, directed at a person who is reasonably offensive or humiliating or is a threat to their well-being.

"Such misogynistic and illegal behaviour discourages women, in particular, from being outdoors and [engaging in activities like] walking, jogging, or running," she stated.

She said park entrances should clearly display information about public sexual harassment laws.

According to her, this will help prevent situations where individuals, like the man in this example, feel comfortable making unwanted comments towards women simply for being in public.

If you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:

1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter

2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9.30am - 5.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp/Telegram: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter

3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4180342
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter

4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday (7pm - 9pm),Tuesday to Thursday (9.30am - 11.30am), Saturday (2pm - 4pm)
Contact: +6082-368853
SMS/WhatsApp: +6016-5822660 | +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter

5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +6088-280200 | +6011-27908020
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter

6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (3pm - 12am)
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter

7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF's Reporting Portal.

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