Mixed reactions as Rwanda bans the sale of used underwear

The chances of acquiring stylish Victoria Secret lingerie at a cheap price of Rwf500 are fewer and fewer. The reason is a ban on the importation and selling of second hand undergarments. The Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS), imposed the ban for health reasons and to limit the importation of substandard products. Rwanda should not be used as dumping ground,the regulator says. In a phone interview, Simeon Kwizera, the Public Relations Officer of RBS explains on what they are up to with the ban. “The ban started effectively on February 1st, 2011. Basically, the products are against the East African trade standards. Besides, these garments are one of the ways of acquiring skin and sexually transmitted diseases and, it’s morally against the Rwandan culture to put on underwear which someone else has used,” Kwizera pointed out. He said that although people claimed that they thoroughly wash and iron the undergarments, several others came up with complaints leading to the ban. “We met with the traders of the products and came to an agreement that the deadline for the products coming into the country is August. We didn’t want them to make losses. Some of the traders had already made their orders and paid for them,” Kwizera elaborated. Chantal Uwamahoro, a 27-year-old second hand underwear vendor at Kimironko market who solely earns her living from selling Second hand bras and knickers, complains. “I have been in this business for the last four years and the ban on our products is going to completely affect my life,” Uwamahoro said. She used to buy one bale containing over 700 bras and made a profit of Rwf45,000. She used to earn at least Rwf80,000 monthly from her business and used the money to pay tax, rent, medical bills and her children’s school fees, among other expenses. Prices of bras and knickers vary depending on the class, quality and size. Bras and knickers with the most defaults fall in the second class. Additionally, big-sized knickers and bras are more expensive than the smaller ones, therefore, are in the first class category. “First class bras cost Rwf1000 while second class bras are Rwf500 each. First class knickers cost Rwf500 while second hand ones are Rwf300f,” she explains. Uwamahoro said that her next business step was unclear. “I’m not sure about what to do next after my stock is over. If I get enough money, God willing, I will use it as capital to start up a new venture.” Speaking about the health repercussions of her clients, she said that they are sensitized on how to wash their items. “We usually advise buyers to first soak garments in hot water containing a detergent for at least a whole day then thoroughly wash and iron before wearing,” she says. “New undergarments can, as well, cause infection when infrequently washed. Instead, people need to be sensitized on hygiene,” she adds. Leonardo Rukundo, a trader of used handbags at Nyabugogo market, says he supports the ban on second hand underwear. “I have never purchased used underwear because I can’t imagine wearing underwear that someone else has worn. It just does not seem right. The ban on these garments is only important if the government sets up industries that manufacture standard underwear at affordable prices,” Rukundo said. Sheila Kwizera, a resident of Nyamirambo ,begs to differ; she says the quality of affordable brand new underwear on the market is not exactly impressive while the cost of original ones is so high. “After a week of wearing cheap brand new knickers, they get torn. Original 100 percent cotton knickers are very expensive with half a dozen at Rwf15000. Not everyone can afford these rates especially low income earners and people living in the rural areas,” Kwizera says. Dorau20@yahoo.co.uk