Women deprived of choice

BY ZEINAB ZEIN
Forget the financial crisis, global warming and the food shortage catastrophe creeping up on the world: there are more pressing issues – burqas and boobs.

What women can and cannot wear has been a hot subject with everyone weighing in on the debate.

Burqa-clad Muslim women were subjected to public scrutiny for wearing too much after Brisbane-based radio presenter Michael Smith said wearing a burqa posed a security risk, in particular in the retail environment because the person’s face could not be seen.

He suggested issuing fines to those who wore it in public but said he preferred a total ban.

Meanwhile, Reverend Fred Nile of the Christian Democratic Party called for a ban on topless sunbathing, claiming topless women make others on the beach uncomfortable.

It seems we are selective when it comes to defending women’s rights in Australia, with the voices of women themselves not heard.

While many spoke out against the proposed ban on topless bathing, there was no outcry when what Muslim women can wear became a national debate.

In the 1950s and 1960s the women’s liberation movement played an important role in Australia, helping to provide women with more opportunities, choices and freedom. This has not been extended to Muslim women today.

The HREOC’s Living Spirit report, a project on human rights and responsibilities (in collaboration with Islamic organisations and Muslim women), found that Muslim women felt unsupported by the wider Australian community.

Muslim women continued to experience discrimination because they were easily identified as Muslim due to their attire, the report found. And although comments by shock jocks had added fuel to the fire, many Muslim women were already reporting being vilified in shops and supermarkets, including by security guards, and being refused service.

Some women reported being helped by bystanders but others were distressed when bystanders were indifferent. Such experiences have left Muslim women feeling fearful and there was a resulting tendency to disengage from social interaction.

Mainstream organisations representing women in Australia need to reach out to marginalised communities as lack of information, resources and assistance contribute to lack of action against discrimination.

If we are to truly support women’s rights then we need to respect the choices of all women, whether we agree with them or not. Australian women should have the right to wear what they feel comfortable in, and what they choose to wear, or not, should not be determined by either legislation or bigotry.