Female MPs with artificial eyelashes, finger nails banned from entering Parliament

Women Members of Parliament (MPs) in Tanzania will be forced to abandon artificial eyelashes and finger nails after they were banned by the country on Monday.

According to THE CITIZEN, female legislators will not be allowed to enter Parliament with artificial eyelashes and artificial finger nails.

“With the powers vested in me by the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, I now ban all MPs with false eyelashes and false finger nails from stepping into Parliament,” the speaker said on Monday during a House session in Dodoma, Tanzania.

Mr Ndugai added that he was also consulting with experts about use of excessive makeup saying women MPs who use it might also be blocked from entering the House.

A lady with excessive makeup [Courtesy]

Ndugai’s statement came shortly after Deputy Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dr Faustine told the House that women with artificial eyelashes and finger nails face serious health risks that are costly to the country.

Ndugulile pointed out that the lashes and finger nails do not fall under the list of cosmetics in the country.

“False eyelashes and false finger nails do not fall on the list of cosmetics as outlined in the Tanzania Food, Drugs and Cosmetics act (TFDCA) Cap. 219,” indicated Ndugulile.

Artificial eyelashes [Courtesy]

Reports indicate that at least 700 women are admitted to hospitals in Tanzania with complications as a result of using artificial eyelashes, artificial finger nails and skin bleaching.

According to beauty experts, the lashes are so popular yet they can cause significant problems from irritation of the eye to traumatised hair follicles.

Artificial eyelashes can have a negative effect on natural lashes, causing them to fall out and leave patches.

They cannot trap dirt and bacteria that can irritate the eyes and eyelids.

Natural eyelashes protect the eye from dust, sweat and foreign materials.

The artificial eyelash glue can also cause serious allergic reactions to the skin.

Chemicals used to apply artificial nails are also notoriously unhealthy and have been shown to cause cancer.

Exposure to these chemicals through your nails over a long period of time can result in complete nail loss by destruction of the nail matrix.

Artificial nails [Courtesy]

Allergic reactions have also been reported with such nails, resulting in serious inflammation.

The healing time, resulting in pain and sensitivity, can last more than a year.

Speaker of the Tanzanian Parliament Job Ndugai. [Courtesy]