Rally In Costa Rica To Support Women's Right To Dress As They Choose

Hundreds of women have rallied outside San Jose's Metropolitan cathedral on Sunday in Costa Rica's first "SlutWalk".

They gathered in the Costa Rican capital to protest against a call by Bishop Jose Francisco Ulloa for women to stop imitating men and to dress modestly.

Protesters, mostly women but some men too, started gathering at the square during the dominical mass and later walked around downtown.

Brandishing banners and signs with slogans against the church, sexism and in favour of women rights, they awaited for the end of the mass to start what they called the "SlutWalk".

Participants in the demonstration were dressed in a variety of clothing, from boots with fishnet stockings, to concealing black burqas.

One half naked woman draped herself in chains and lay on steps in the city in protest at Ulloa's comments.

Sara Fishel, one of the protesters, said she had seen a very diverse range of people at the protest.

"I'm very happy to see so many women here, little girls, I see elderly women too, even men, so yes, I'm very happy to see how the Costa Rican people are supporting their women," she said.

The Bishop of Cartago, Jose Francisco Ulloa, had called on Costa Rican women to dress "with modesty and decency" to avoid being raped.

A Mexican bishop visiting Costa Rica at the time Ulloa made those comments added more fuel to the fire, saying that women should not imitate men, referring to their attitudes and behaviours.

"SlutWalks" started in Toronto, Canada, after a police officer made remarks that women could avoid being raped or victimised by not dressing like "sluts".

Women around the globe rallied against his comments and marches took place in countries around the world, to demonstrate against the idea that a woman's appearance could explain or excuse rape and sexual harassment.