By Nabila
Isn’t it odd that people tend to have a lot of opinions about and police what women wear? It’s almost as if it’s a distraction tactic to take attention and resources away from solving actual problems in the world. Also, it’s nothing more than exhibiting power over groups of people, and taking away their autonomy. In the same week we saw the EU legislate that hijabs can be banned in the workforce, the Norwegian women’s volleyball team were slapped with a fine for not playing in bikini bottoms. How can you champion women’s rights, but then also create barriers for them to have access to education, work, and sport? When German female gymnasts opted for full body leotards during this year’s Olympics, and praised for their decision, I couldn’t but help but think of how Muslim women who choose to cover themselves aren’t afforded the same treatment.
I understand that these laws and legislations are coming from a place of promoting secularism, to fight against the rise of extremism. However, I can’t help but note the glaring disparity in the treatment of Muslim women. I am also not entirely sure how someone choosing to wear their religious attire is seen as promoting extremism. If we can agree that seeing a nun in public isn’t considered as her pushing her ideologies down our throats, I fail to see how this is applicable to others. Make it make sense to me, please. The opposite is also true: women shouldn’t be forced to cover up to be considered acceptable in society. Frankly, if you disagree with me… I don’t care. A person’s worth is not, and should not, be measured by what they wear.
I’ve worn the scarf for almost a decade now. It was always something I wanted to do. On January 1st 2012, with the help of a friend, I stepped out into public as a hijabi. My first interaction in public that day was a woman accosting me at a McDonald’s parking lot, calling me a “towelhead.” Since then, I’ve had people verbally harrass me on public transport, and have even been groped when out with friends or my husband. Fast forward to July 1st 2021, where I’ve had to make the difficult decision to take off my scarf due to persistent health issues. One of my first interactions in public was a man ogling my breasts… as a 7 month pregnant woman… walking in the mall whilst holding my husband’s hand. My point is, it didn’t matter what I wore. It certainly wasn’t seen as me pushing my ideologies on anyone, nor was it seen as a deterrent for them to attack me.
So why do we care so much about what women wear or don’t wear? Why do we place so much importance on dictating on what women should or shouldn’t wear? Why do we fail to educate people instead?