Since the 1980s, France has been battling with keeping the country secular, by implementing laws specifically targeting Muslim women from wearing hijabs and face coverings. Last April, France’s dominant conservative party, Les Républicains, came on stronger, amending the laws to include forbidding anyone wearing visible religious attire to participate in sporting events, the outlawing of the burkini (a full body swimsuit), and prohibiting anyone under the age of 18 from wearing a hijab.
Banning a source of pride and identity for Muslim women in France is not empowerment, it is oppression. The secular law bans civil servants from wearing hijabs, and appearing in a hijab for both students and parents. Not only does the amendment cut Muslim hijab-wearing mothers from participating in their children’s school activities but also denies them access to all governmental employment opportunities (The Guardian). Instead of allowing the freedom of choice for muslim women to express their religion, politicians claim the “anti-separatism” measures are in the name of public safety and empowerment, despite having the largest Muslim population in Western Europe (Times). French politicians believe that by allowing hijabs and religious wear, parents would ‘impose harmful dogmas’ onto their children at an age too early for their comprehension (Washington Post). Yet, if that assertion was true, regulations on hijabs and religious outfits would not exist at all. The government’s facade as savior and deliverer from oppression is deplorable and disturbing given how blatant their actions are to reclaim women’s freedoms.
Following in France’s footsteps, in late April Quebec passed Bill 21, prohibiting government workers in positions of authority the right to wear religious symbols (BBC). Although those opposed have labeled this law “an assault on religious minorities,” Quebec Premier, Francios Legualt, argued that while serving the public, those in public positions should not be adorned in attire that could potentially encourage their faith (Washington Post, Quebec). He furthers the Catholic Church has long held unfair control, but however hypocrtically, chooses to take aggressive actions that are directed at muslim hijab-wearing women.
It is highlighted here an underlying theme of comparative politics- countries lead by example. What is unjust and inhumane will continue to penetrate other areas of the world if measures are not taken to resist oppression, the audacious will of a patriarchal society and the unrelenting, insidious nature of inequity across borders.
https://time.com/6049226/france-hijab-ban/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/04/21/france-hijab-ban-vote-exclusion/
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56821752
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/04/20/quebec-canada-religious-hijab-turban-ban/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/27/i-felt-violated-by-the-demand-to-undress-three-muslim-women-on-frances-hostility-to-the-hijab
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