The University of Azad Jammu in Pakistan-administered Kashmir has triggered an outcry on social media after it banned female students from wearing lipstick on campus.
Protesters took to social media to condemn the university’s new policy as rights activists, civil society groups and social media users referred to the move as oppressive.
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Farzana Bari, a rights activist is of the opinion that the decision reflected that conservatism and radicalisation were on the rise in society.
She said there had been decisions in the past such as the segregation of female students and the imposition of a dress code for women.
According to her, Pakistani women were pushing against all odds.
In September, authorities in North-Western Pakistan withdrew an order stipulating that school girls must wear hijab after opposition from civil society groups and an outcry on social media.
The University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s administration declined to comment on the decision
However, the government in the conservative province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa near the border of Afghanistan, a former Taliban stronghold, said the decision was taken to safeguard girls against sexual harassment.
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