Chechnya tightens rules on women’s clothing as critics warn of rising state control

Chechnya has imposed new restrictions on women’s clothing, banning “masculine elements” and enforcing mandatory head scarves. Critics say the rules reflect political control, not tradition, while many Chechen women voice growing frustration.

WEBDESK – MediaBites – November 25, 2025

The Chechen government has introduced a new set of restrictions on women’s clothing, banning any attire that includes “masculine elements,” in what critics say is another step toward expanding state control under Ramzan Kadyrov’s rule, rather than an effort to preserve tradition.

The latest ban targets traditional garments that include gazyrs — rows of symbolic bullet pockets historically worn on men’s chequered coats. The Chechen Culture Ministry stated that these design features “contradict traditional customs,” arguing that gazyrs represent “courage, honor, and a protective spirit,” traits that authorities insist should be exclusive to men.

This move comes less than a month after another controversial order requiring women to wear head scarves in public. Violators will face “explanatory talks,” officials warned. Niqabs, however, remain banned.

What Critics Say

Human rights groups, political observers, and women’s rights advocates say the government’s justification has little to do with culture — and everything to do with consolidating power.

The Marem crisis group called the move unsurprising, saying male officials “found fault with women’s fashion instead of fighting femicide and violence against women,” problems activists say remain far more urgent.

Political analyst Ruslan Aisin compared the tightening dress codes to authoritarian norms in North Korea, arguing that such rules serve as a “test of ideological loyalty” demanded by totalitarian systems.

“None of this is about tradition,” Aisin said. “It’s about ensuring there are no deviations and maintaining strict control over society.”

Analysts also point to internal power dynamics. Kadyrov’s relatives have long held key roles in government, including in the Culture Ministry, which announced the latest ban. Observers say the rules may benefit figures like Aishat Kadyrova, Kadyrov’s daughter and a former culture minister who now oversees a conservative fashion brand aligned with these restrictions.

What Chechen Women Say

Women inside and outside Chechnya express growing frustration and fear.

Some say the restrictions feel like a political message, not a cultural one.
“It’s not about tradition — Chechen women have always expressed themselves through clothing,” said one woman from Grozny, who requested anonymity for safety. “This is about reminding us who is in control.”

Others argue that Chechen traditions actually protect women from interference by unrelated men — not justify state intrusion.
“Kadyrov says this is tradition, but no stranger can order a Chechen woman how to dress,” said a women’s rights advocate familiar with local customs. “Our real traditions respect women’s dignity.”

Fatima Gazieva, a Chechen activist based in Europe, said the bans are designed not only to control women but also to signal to Moscow that the leadership can “maintain order.”

“If authorities truly cared about tradition, they would protect women, not punish them,” she said. “This is political, not cultural.”

A Strategy of Control

As the Kadyrov administration continues to assert authority through personal, cultural, and now sartorial regulations, critics say Chechen society — particularly women — remains caught between state power and shrinking personal freedoms.

For now, the new rules remain in force, adding another layer to what rights groups describe as an expanding system of control over private life in Chechnya.