On March 30th, the French Senate passed a controversial bill prohibiting girls under 18 from wearing any religious attire that is traditionally associated with women. This legislation aims to ban “any conspicuous religious symbols in public spaces for minors and any clothing that suggests an internal hierarchy of women over men.” While the language may not explicitly mention it, the focus is clearly on Muslim women.
For many young Muslim women, wearing a hijab is a personal choice made during their teenage years. This new ban is part of the broader Separatist Bill. While the French government claims the intent is to uphold secularism—a separation of religion from state—it appears more like an attempt at forced assimilation rather than a genuine promotion of individual freedoms.
The implications of this hijab ban extend beyond just young girls. Mothers who wear hijabs would also be barred from participating in school activities like field trips. It’s already challenging to find parents willing to volunteer for such events. Excluding those who choose to wear a hijab seems incredibly unjust. If a mother is eager to be involved in her child’s education, why impose restrictions based on her religious attire?
Moreover, the ban on burkinis at public swimming pools adds another layer of confusion. Women wear burkinis to maintain modesty; why would the government compel them to reveal parts of their bodies they prefer to keep covered? What justifies this intrusion into personal choice?
This hijab ban is just the latest in a series of restrictions targeting Muslim women’s freedoms in France. In 2010, then-President Nicolas Sarkozy enacted a ban on face coverings, including the burqa and niqab. While other types of hoods are also prohibited, the reality is that these laws disproportionately affect Muslim women. A UN committee declared the niqab ban a violation of human rights in 2018, noting that rather than protecting fully veiled women, such a prohibition could confine them to their homes, limiting their access to public services and further marginalizing them.
The French government seems to believe this ban is a protective measure for hijabi girls, assuming they are saving them from coercion. However, for many young women, choosing to wear a hijab is an empowering decision. While the intention to advocate for women’s rights is commendable, this approach is fundamentally misguided.
The underlying issue reflects a troubling fixation on French nationalism that borders on a “white savior” complex. The government seems to imply that it knows what is best for young hijabi girls, presuming these girls need saving from their own choices. However, the narrative of the French state dictating what is safe for them to wear is problematic.
A French-Tunisian fashion contributor, Layla Benouda, highlighted that there is a pervasive infantilization of Muslim women. Such laws portray the government as the true oppressor, pushing women further into isolation rather than liberation. A hijab ban will not protect anyone; instead, it will drive young Muslim women deeper into the margins of society. By restricting their ability to practice their religion, the French government implies that their identities are irrelevant to French culture.
Imagine living in a country that consistently denies you fundamental rights. Why would anyone want to embrace the culture of their oppressors? The hijab ban will only force Muslim women to abandon their religious identity to fit into an arbitrary conception of what it means to be French.
Practicing their faith provides these women with community and comfort—qualities that the notion of being “French” does not inherently offer, especially when it comes with systemic oppression.
To further illustrate the hypocrisy, the National Assembly recently passed a bill lowering the age of sexual consent to 15. This legislative choice suggests that a 15-year-old girl is deemed capable of consenting to sex yet is considered incapable of making an informed decision regarding her religious expression through the hijab. The inconsistency is glaring and absurd.
Most young Muslim women do not require saving from their own faith; they are fully capable of making their own choices regarding their religious practices. If France desires a cohesive society, it must abandon the notion that conformity equates to solidarity. Imposing a hijab ban will only serve to isolate these young women further due to their religious beliefs.
No one should have to choose between their identity and their rights. France must recognize that banning the hijab does not liberate young Muslim women from oppression; it introduces them to fear and marginalization within their own country.
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In summary, the recent hijab ban in France highlights the escalating Islamophobia and systemic oppression faced by Muslim women. While framed as a measure of protection, these laws serve to alienate and marginalize a significant portion of the population. A change in perspective is essential to foster true inclusivity and respect for individual rights.