I struggle with the Burka question. Is wearing the Burka an act of self-determination, or the religious oppression of Muslim women? To answer this we need to examine the relationship between religion and free will. Such intellectual freedom doesn’t generally go hand in hand with religion; in fact religion inhibits free choice in favour of faith and doctrine.

If god demands you behave in a certain way, i.e. Burka wearing, where does this leave free will. If god believes you are second class and should be treated accordingly i.e. gay people not allowed to marry, nun’s not allowed to give mass etc, then where is free will and self determination? The only autonomy you’re left with is leaving your faith. Not an easy option for those indoctrinated from birth with a fear of god.

There is a real concern that the burka could be used oppressively by some families to control, dominate, and suppress women. However, this should be deemed as domestic violence and should never be tolerated in any section of the community, (not even out of sympathy for tradition, or cultural or religious reasons) equality is paramount in a democratic society. Misogyny is unacceptable. Suppression of any group of people is unacceptable. If in the home, it is domestic violence and if proper support was available for victims was available our pre-occupation with the burka would be unjustified sadly such services are woefully inadequate.

Yet, women’s subjugation goes further than clothing. What a woman wears, or doesn’t wear, is only a symbol of her oppression. A page three girl is just as oppressed as a nun, burka wearer, or fashion victim. Why? Because oppression is about not having free will, just as prevalent for those brain-washed by capitalism to buy the latest face-cream or feel worthless, to those lead to believe a liberated woman is a naked promiscuous one, or those indoctrinated to believe in modesty.

I crave a day when value placed on a woman’s appearance is eclipsed by the value placed on her humanity.