Main content

Ethiopia arrests TikTok creators over ‘indecent’ outfits

The government has accused six creators of undermining public morality.

At the end of November, Ethiopia’s biggest social media creators gathered in Addis Ababa for the Ethiopia Creative Awards. It was supposed to be a night celebrating the thriving digital culture but the outfits of the attendees stole the spotlight. A few weeks later six creators were arrested and detained for wearing “indecent attire” at the event and undermining public morality - but what exactly does that mean?

Kalkidan Yibeltal, a BBC journalist based in Nairobi, tells us about cultural expectations for clothing in Ethiopia and why the outfits sparked so much controversy there.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Benita Barden, Chelsea Coates and Julia Ross-Roy
Editor: Verity Wilde

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Sat 20 Dec 202503:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Fri 19 Dec 202518:50GMT
  • Sat 20 Dec 202503:50GMT

Podcast