By: Maya Johnson
Updated: April 11, 2021
Originally Published: April 9, 2021
On March 30th, the French Senate passed a law prohibiting women under 18 from publicly wearing any religious attire specific to women. This legislation aims to ban “conspicuous religious signs” worn by minors, which effectively targets Muslim women, even if it doesn’t explicitly state so.
For many young Muslim women, wearing a hijab is a personal choice that they may embrace during their teenage years. This latest restriction is part of what is known as the Separatist Bill. While the French government touts this law as a measure to uphold secularism, it appears more like a push for forced assimilation than genuine individual freedom.
The implications of this hijab ban extend beyond young girls. Mothers who wear hijabs will also be barred from participating in school activities such as field trips. Finding parents to volunteer for such events can be challenging, so excluding willing mothers based on their choice of religious attire seems unreasonable and unfair. If a mother wants to engage in her child’s educational experiences, why should her religious beliefs prevent her from doing so?
Moreover, the ban on burkinis at public swimming pools raises significant concerns. A woman may choose to wear a burkini for modesty, and it’s perplexing that the government would compel her to reveal parts of her body she prefers to keep covered. What authority grants them the right to dictate such personal choices?
This hijab ban represents the latest in a series of restrictions on the freedoms of Muslim women in France. In 2010, a ban on face coverings, including the burqa and niqab, was enacted by then-President Nicolas Sarkozy. Although the law ostensibly applies to all face coverings, its discriminatory impact on Muslim women is evident. A UN committee ruled in 2018 that such bans violate human rights, noting that rather than protecting fully veiled women, these laws could further isolate them and hinder their access to public services.
The French government believes it is acting in the best interests of young hijabi girls by preventing them from being compelled to wear the hijab. While the intention might be to protect their rights, many young women choose to wear the hijab voluntarily. The government’s approach reflects a misguided understanding of empowerment.
There’s an unsettling undertone of white saviorism in this narrative. The French state seems to imply that it knows what is best for young girls who wear hijabs, effectively positioning itself as a guardian of their rights while simultaneously stripping them of their autonomy. This is not an advancement of French nationalism; it feels more like enforced assimilation disguised as a protective measure.
As French-Tunisian fashion contributor Layla Durand stated, “There is a real infantilization of Muslim women. These laws designed to ‘liberate’ us only serve to push us further into the shadows of society.”
The implications of a hijab ban are damaging. Instead of offering liberation, it drives young Muslim women deeper into isolation. By denying them the freedom to express their faith as they see fit, the French government sends a clear message: they do not belong.
Imagine living in a country that consistently denies you basic rights. Why would anyone wish to contribute to a culture that oppresses them? This ban only serves to alienate Muslim women from their identity, compelling them to abandon their faith in order to fit into a narrow definition of what it means to be French.
The absurdity of this law is further highlighted by a recent change in the age of sexual consent to 15, suggesting that the government believes young girls can consent to sex but not make their own religious choices. This contradiction underscores a fundamental misunderstanding of autonomy and choice.
Most young Muslim women do not require rescue from their religion; they are more than capable of deciding how to practice it. If France is serious about fostering a sense of belonging among its citizens, it must reconsider its approach. A hijab ban for young girls will not enhance their sense of identity; it will only deepen divisions based on religious beliefs.
No one should have to choose between their religion and their national identity. The French government must recognize that it is not safeguarding young Muslim women from oppression; it is instead fostering fear and marginalization within their own country.
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Summary
The recent hijab ban for minors in France highlights the ongoing struggle for Muslim women’s rights amidst rising Islamophobia. This legislation, part of a broader trend of restrictions, not only targets young girls but also marginalizes mothers who choose to wear hijabs. The government’s justification for the ban, framed as a protective measure, inadvertently promotes forced assimilation rather than genuine individual freedom. It raises critical questions about autonomy, identity, and the role of the state in personal religious practices.