Before making a trip to visit her daughter in Trinidad and Tobago, the Jamaican author Melanie Schwapp needed to get a yellow fever shot.

But when she arrived for her appointment at a government-run health clinic, she was turned away by a security guard who told her she could not be admitted because she was wearing a sleeveless shirt.

“I find it ridiculous,” says Schwapp. “If you are dressing decently, what is the problem if your shoulders are exposed?”

Her experience mirrored those of many women in Jamaica, who are routinely turned away from hospitals, libraries, clinics and government buildings on the grounds that their clothing has infringed a “decorum rule”.

A notice detailing what women can wear in public buildings. Photograph: Right Pouitree blog

Now the country’s government has now ordered a review of the unofficial policies under which women are barred entry for wearing sleeveless shirts or blouses – as well as flip-flops, short skirts or shorts.

Jamaican prime minister Andrew Holness announced earlier this month that he had ordered Babsy Grange, the minister of sports, culture, entertainment and gender affairs, to review the practice. “As a modern society, we must evolve,” he wrote on Twitter.

The debate over the “decorum rule” was reignited after Theresa May wore a sleeveless gown during Donald Trump’s visit the UK – prompting women to point out that the British prime minister would probably not be allowed to enter a Jamaican school or hospital wearing the same dress.

Women often express frustration with the custom, which can cause extreme inconvenience in a Caribbean country where temperatures regularly exceed 30C (86F).

After lodging a string of access to information requests, local activist Susan Goffe found there was no legal basis or government policy to justify the “rule”, which many see as a remnant of colonial attitudes.

“It has always struck me as being a ridiculous rule to apply in a tropical country,” said Goffe. But beyond the absurdity, Goffe warned the rule can result in women being denied public services.

“Denial of public services on account of dress must contravene the charter of rights of our constitution,” said local human rights activist Carol Narcisse.



Some of Jamaica’s churches support the practice, claiming a requirement for modesty.

But others are scathing in their response to such arbitrary rules. Shawn Gregory was recently turned away from visiting her ailing father in hospital because she was wearing a sleeveless top.

“[It was] the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of,” she said.