Oops, they’ve done it again….

First France, and now Belgium has banned the full face veil.

The article I read the other day didn’t give any explanation, but I’d be willing to bet that its got something to do with “saving the poor Muslim from the oppressive menfolk!”.

I wasn’t born yesterday – I know that women have been forced to wear the burqa or niqab – but that doesn’t mean that *all* women are forced to wear it. The burqa is extremely rare in western nations, and while the niqab is more common, if Belgium is anything like France, its worn by a minority of women. While some, even in our ‘modern’ society(s?) are forced, for others, its a choice they make.

Women who choose to wear either are going to feel discriminated against, and immigrants may be less likely to integrate fully into the society, as they view the government as being hostile/pursuing discriminatory practices.  I shouldn’t need to point out that women who are coerced into wearing either the niqab or burka won’t be helped by this legislation either. A man who insists a female family member cannot leave the house unless they are fully veiled is not going to change their mind simply because it is illegal. Instead, she will be unable to leave the house.  This legislation does nothing to help women who are victims of abuse – it does not prevent the abuse, whether physical or mental/emotional, from happening – all it does is push it out of sight.

Lastly, the government legislating what you can/cannot wear for any reason other than basic safety concerns (ie, you have to wear a helmet to ride a bike) is disturbing , and in my view, violates the basic principles we value in most democratic society – the rights of the individual,  the right to freedom of expression, freedom of thought, freedom of religion – and the right to choose your own wardrobe (:P OK, being cheeky there). Telling a woman that she must wear something IS oppression, but telling a woman that it is illegal to wear something (that doesn’t harm anyone else) is ALSO oppression.