Hijabs & Strip Clubs

Hijabs and strip clubs are two things that are not often associated with one another. However they have more in common that what first meets the eye. Both are often perceived as sexist and oppressive but in western society only one is constantly brought under scrutiny.

For many muslim women the Hijab is an integral part of expressing their faith which promotes the idea that both muslim men and women should dress and act modestly in the presence of the opposite sex. Nevertheless the western media is intent on portraying female islamic garments such as the hijab, niqab and the burqa as tools of male oppression. Far too often the focus is put on very small so called islamic groups which deprive women of the choice of wearing the hijab, niqab or burqa. It is crucial to remember that these groups are in no way representative of the islamic faith which preaches understanding and equality. What the media fails to understand that the whole point of gender equality and in fact freedom in general is that people have the ability to make their own decisions. This includes the freedom to choose what to wear. However, mention strip clubs and most people rush to their defence. It’s not just the media who are up in arms to defend this ‘beacon of sexual freedom’ it’s also many self identifying feminists. People claim that it is the girl’s choice to strip, they are not forced, and can even be sign of female empowerment. Sound familiar? So why is it that one set of values of freedom and the ability to choose are applicable to some women and not others? This is a strange problem as for once it isn't just the media and society to blame but also some feminists themselves. Third wave feminism started in around the mid-nineties and changed the way in which items such as push up bras and heels were viewed. Where first and second wave feminists were convinced that such things were symbols of male oppression, third wave feminists wore them with pride, as it’s true that, news flash, you can be ‘traditionally’ feminine and have a brain as well. Unfortunately what this brand of feminism sometimes misses out is the fact that that women are now more sexually liberated than ever before, is great but it’s not for every one. Western feminist groups such as Femen sometimes seem to be obsessed with the idea that if you're not conforming to their definition of freedom, such as wearing mini skirts and stripping, and choose instead to wear a hijab, then you are oppressed. All the same, although some feminists are to blame for this misinterpretation of the hijab, it’s true that yet again the myth that muslim women who wear traditional islamic clothing are oppressed is mostly perpetuated by, you guessed it, the media. Recently the media has been partial to a bit of selective feminism. Nice, middle-class, white women such as Tina Fey and Emma Watson are held up as ideal feminists. There are numerous articles praising them for making women’s voices heard because their achievements are important but also because these women are not deemed too radical. The media has no problem with strip clubs, because sex sells. No one complains about feminists encouraging women to take their clothes off because heterosexual men like seeing naked women. However when women choose to cover themselves for their faith and refused to be constantly sexualised that’s when the media suddenly develops a concern for these poor enslaved women. 
To conclude the wearing of the hijab or any other form of clothing designed to preserve modesty is in no way a sign of oppression if the woman freely chooses to wear it. Western society and a small number of feminists need to realise that female empowerment comes in all shapes and sizes. And finally the media needs to start being more representative of the different forms of feminism that are present in the world today.

Written by Tash

Picture credit: Willow