Freedom for Afghan women but not for French Muslim women
France’s commitment to Afghan women exists while Muslim women are prohibited from wearing headscarves.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s attempt to speak out for Afghan women has been branded hypocritical online given the country’s treatment of its own Muslim women.
In a televised speech earlier this week, Emmanuel Macron said “Afghan women have the right to live in freedom and dignity”.
The austere and extreme interpretation of Islam by the Taliban has resulted in it often forcing women to wear the hijab and full veil.
However, some people have argued that France has its own policy against Muslim women, especially those who choose to wear the veil, which in turn diminishes its voice in denouncing the practices of the Taliban.
âThis place where women are ordered to wear and if they don’t comply, they cannot study or work and can even be arrested⦠is called France,â one user said in a comment widely shared in line.
This place where women are ordered to wear and if they do not comply, they cannot study or work and can even be arrested⦠is called France.
– Ahmed Sewehli (@LibyanIntegrity) August 17, 2021
Another Internet user also reacted to the double standard perceived in France’s concern for Afghan women. âThe West is worried about the dress of women in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Macron and France can force Muslim women not to choose to wear longer skirts or headwear. “
The West is concerned about women’s dress in Afghanistan, while Macron and France can force Muslim women not to choose to wear longer skirts or headwear, and women at the Olympics are forced to undress more than men in the same sports.#makeitmakesense
– Siraaj (@siraaj) August 18, 2021
France has banned young girls from wearing headscarves in schools since 2005. There have also been attempts to ban women wearing headscarves in France from attending school trips with their children.
âMuslim women do not even have the right to live in peace and dignity in France. #Macron should be the last person to lecture #Afghanistan on women’s rights, “said an Internet user after the French president’s remarks on Afghan women.
Muslim women do not even have the right to live in peace and dignity in France. #Macron should be the last person to lecture #Afghanistan on women’s rights. https://t.co/hVqLBsS7Rq
– Dr Nadin Mai ðð (@ArtandSlowFilm) August 16, 2021
While the treatment of women by the Taliban in the past still does not compare to the ability of many Muslims to study and work in France, discrimination in the country has resulted in many women being excluded from opportunities.
Muslim women do not even have the right to live in peace and dignity in France. #Macron should be the last person to lecture #Afghanistan on women’s rights. https://t.co/hVqLBsS7Rq
– Dr Nadin Mai ðð (@ArtandSlowFilm) August 16, 2021
Recently, the EU’s highest court ruled that Muslim women can be fired from their jobs for refusing to take off the headscarf. In addition, the court ruled that companies can ban the wearing of headscarves if it protects the image of the company.
France has also banned the wearing of the full veil for Muslim women in public spaces who consider it part of their religious belief. Muslim women in France can face fines and even jail if they choose to wear the veil in public.
Source: TRT World
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