The government of India is telling women who come to the subcontinent that “for their own safety” they should not wear skirts or short dresses during their visit.
Indian tourism minister Mahesh Sharma said that a welcome kit for those visiting his country includes “do’s and don’t’s,” such as advice to not go out alone at night.
Tourism to India among women has declined as the nation deals with crimes including the gang-rape of a 46-year-old California tourist the town of Dharamsala last September, according to the Guardian.
Sharma, who has previously said that girls’ nights out are not part of Indian culture, was quickly criticized for seemingly blaming women for attacks and telling them what to wear.
Social media was soon filled with pictures of skirts playing a prominent role in traditional Indian dress, as well as users saying that the minister should be focus on bringing more tourists to the country rather than repulsing them.
“We are known as the rape capital of the world n now w/this advice you have managed to scare the 3 women who would like to visit,” hairstylist and women’s rights activist Sapna Moti Bhavnani posted on Twitter.
Sharma said on Monday that he only intended his remarks to apply to religious situations and that he was not trying to create a dress code for foreigners.
India passed stricter laws against sexual assaults after the 2012 rape of a 23-year-old on a moving bus.
However, critics have challenged authorities to provide more resources to courts and police to hold attackers accountable, as well as changing the culture around the issue.
Data reported by the Indian Express showed a rise in rape reported in Delhi last year, with an average of six rapes and 15 molestations reported every day.