Female lawmakers with artificial nails and false eyelashes have been banned from Tanzania’s parliament, local media reported on Monday.
Job Ndugai, the Speaker of Parliament, who made the announcement, stated that both cosmetic trends could cause health problems, the Citizen Tanzania newspaper reported.
Twitter reacted with mirth to the reported announcement, with one user tweeting “You read some stories and you just conclude that Africa is doomed.”
“Because the fake lashes and nails will confuse their male counterparts?” another user tweeted in response to the story.
The ban has started trending in the social media along with other decision taken by President John Magufuli, especially concerning his position the use of contraceptives.
President Magufuli was reported to have said there was no need to use birth control.
“Women can now give up contraceptive methods,” Mr Magufuli said.
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Opposition MP Cecil Mwambe has criticised the comments, saying they contradicted the country’s health policy.
Tanzania has a population of around 53 million people, with 49% of them living on less than $2 (£1.50) a day.
On average, a woman in Tanzania has more than five children, among the highest rates in the world.
