Malawian women protest after attacks for wearing pants, miniskirts By Faith Karimi, CNN January 20, 2012 -- Updated 1102 GMT (1902 HKT) Street vendors attack several women in major cities over their dressing Protesters wear pants and miniskirts in a show of solidarity with the attacked women The attacks draw the attention of the nation's president, who orders perpatrators to stop (CNN) -- Malawian women protested Friday to demand an end to attacks on females who were stripped naked on the streets for wearing pants, leggings and miniskirts, instead of traditional dresses. Street vendors attacked several women in Lilongwe and Blantyre this week, accusing them of defying cultural norms. "They beat them up and stripped them naked, claiming they did not follow the tradition," said Seodi White, a rights activist and protest organizer. Attacking women in trousers is an outrage. We are a democracy, they're taking us back to the dark ages. Protesters wore pants, miniskirts and leggings in a show of solidarity as they gathered to condemn the attacks. "It is their right to wear what they want," White said by phone from a protest in the commercial capital of Blantyre. This is an embarrassment to our nation and an outright contempt for women. Crowds chanted, "we are strong, we are strong," in the background as they demanded an end to the attacks. Protesters met in closed spaces to avoid confrontations, she said, with her group gathering at a hall with supporters of both sexes. The attacks have drawn the attention of the nation's president, who ordered police to arrest anyone attacking women over their attire. In his speech on state media, President Bingu wa Mutharika warned the perpetrators to stop the attacks, saying women have a right to wear what they want. Malawi banned women from wearing miniskirts and trousers during decades of dictatorship, but repealed the law in 1994 when the southern African nation adopted multiparty democracy, White said.