Like many dress codes, the policing of skirt lengths is a rule that disproportionately affects female students. Constantly, we see girls being punished and reprimanded for their skirts being "too short" or for showing "too much" leg. But why? Why are we so horrified by the skin of children? To put it bluntly, policing skirt lengths is outdated, sexist, and frankly ridiculous. The length of my skirt does not affect mine- nor anyone's- ability to learn. When you reprimand and emplace sanctions over a short skirt, you are sexualising our skin. Our skin is not sexual unless we make it so. It hurts to be told your body is inappropriate; something to be hidden away. If you are distracted by a short skirt, then you should not be working in a school. Stop prioritising male comfort over female safety. There is nothing wrong, horrifying, sexual about the length of our skirts. 

Furthermore, this policing of skirt lengths inadvertently targets people of certain body types, backgrounds, and sizes. Female students are repeatedly reprimanded publicly, resulting in humiliation, insecurity, and often teasing from peers- or even teaching. Stop deeming us a distraction for the length of our skirts. We should be allowed to show as much or little skin as we wish. People should not be being sent home over a short skirt- nor should they over a long skirt. Everyone of all genders, races, religions, and sexualities should feel safe in a school environment. Stop punishing us for the unproblematic "problem" of having a short skirt. Direct more attention to education those who are "distracted" by us. Our skirts aren't jeopardising anyone, but your rules are. 

Enforcing restrictions over skirt length encourages a culture of victim blaming, where our skin is sexualised and demonised to the point that we are made to feel as if unwanted attention is our fault. Sex education and awareness of sexual harassment and assault is important, but contradictory with this practice of punishing those for wearing the correct uniform in a "revealing" manner. 

Who decides what is appropriate and what is not? Who decides the length of our skirt is somehow correlated with our ability to learn? Who decided that professionalism looked any one way?

We are taking back control.

End this. We will not be suppressed, repressed, hidden away any longer. THE LENGTH OF MY SKIRT DOES NOT AFFECT MY, NOR ANYBODY ELSE'S, ABILITY TO LEARN. Make the policing of skirt lengths in an academic setting unlawful. Will you help us take back control over our bodies?

Sign this petition. Share this petition. Your body is yours.

Ban the policing of skirt lengths in UK schools.