Bill 94, the Niqab law, recently proposed in Quebec requires that any person requesting services in a public institution must do so with an ‘uncovered face’ for identification, security and if required to facilitate communication.
The Simone de Beauvoir Institute at Concordia University publicly stated in response that “regulating women’s public religious expression and denying them access to government services and public life is not a step in the direction of gender equality” but instead we should be “attending to gender-based violence, poverty, women’s health, and women’s access to education and work.” To see the Institute’s full public response see: http://wsdb.Concordia.ca
My personal opinion is that the law has the responsibility to protect the rights of all women and their right to self-determination. Of the young Muslim women I have met over the years who have made the choice to wear the hijab, they have done so for different reasons ranging from religious, cultural and personal identity to showing their solidarity with Muslim women around the world that are denied that CHOICE.
The simplest solution may be to communicate openly, learn from each other and to continue to provide community support to all newcomers, especially if their personal histories hinder adaptation, social integration and their own overall wellbeing.
I think this post should change since the hearing for the PROPOSED, not passed, Bill 94 were suspended as of May 25th.
By: Farrah on May 26, 2010
at 12:23 pm
Thanks for that catch, Farrah. The change has been made.
By: leafyouthcommission on May 26, 2010
at 1:15 pm
Yes. Thank you for the correction. Proposed bill, not passed, but what are the implications of a law of this nature and how would it be applied in practice should it be accepted?
By: Diane28mtl on May 26, 2010
at 2:20 pm
Adaptation and social integration according to whom? What does it mean to be socially integrated for a person with bicultural identity?
By: rabia28 on June 2, 2010
at 7:14 pm