UNITED NATIONS WOMEN

Agenda:
Discussing the ban on veils and
headscarfs across the world
Introduction:
Hijab an Arabic term that means “cover” or “barrier” .The hijab is a
headscarf worn by some Muslim women as a sign of modesty, privacy,
and piety.
It is used to describe various head coverings worn by many Muslim
women, which often refers to a headscarf that covers the hair, neck,
and ears, but leaves the face visible 'Muslim women are required to
observe the hijab in front of any man they could theoretically
marry.In ISLAM, The Quran instructs both men and women to
observe modesty in their dress and behavior.
In Islam, the commonly regarded verse cited as mandating the hijab,
and the first mention of it, lies in Sura’t al-Nur. It is regarded as the
“hijab verse,” where God instructed His believers to observe Hijab
during the time the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet (609-632
AD):
‫َو ُق ل ِّلْلُم ْؤ ِم َناِت َيْغ ُض ْض َن ِم ْن َأْبَص اِرِه َّن َو َيْحَف ْظ َن ُف ُروَجُه َّن َو اَل ُيْب ِديَن ِزيَنَت ُه َّن ِإاَّل َم ا‬
24:31- ‫َظ َه َر ِم ْن َه اۖ َو ْلَي ْض ِرْبَن ِبُخُم ِرِه َّن َع ٰىَل ُجُيوِبِه َّن ۖ َو اَل ُيْب ِديَن ِزيَنَت ُه َّن‬
And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision )24:31(
and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except
that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of]
…their headcovers over their chests

While it's often viewed merely as a dress code, for many, the hijab
embodies a deeper spiritual significance, reflecting a commitment to
God. it has evolved from not only being a symbol of piety but also a
mark of cultural identity, and a political statement throughout its
. history
ISLAMOPHOBIA FACED BY MUSLIM
WOMEN:

On the other hand , due to hijab Many Muslim women encounter

Islamophobia which is a combination of hate, fear, and prejudice
against Islam, against Muslims, as well as against anything associated
with the religion. This results in hate speeches, police abuse, hate
crimes, as well as social and political discrimination against muslims
and is used to justify illegal imprisonment, harsh domestic and
foreign policies, as well as disenfranchisement. In places where they
are in the minority they are denied citizenship or legal immigration
status due to xenophobic perceptions that Muslims represent
national security and terrorism threats. Muslim women are
disproportionately targeted in Islamophobic hate crimes due to their
Islamic dress code. This can be seen as there has been an increase in
bullying Muslim students in schools. Furthermore, the 2021 ruling of
the European Court of Justice (ECJ) allowed employers to restrict the
display of 'religious symbols' including the Islamic headscarf, albeit
under specific conditions, which puts women who wear the hijab at a
disadvantage in the EU labor market.
Due to their visibility, covered Muslim women are always in greater
focus, being targets of various legal restrictions enforced by some
states, but also of general social hostility towards their headscarves.
These restrictions do not only impede the right of Muslim women to
express their faith and identity but also limit their access to other
human rights, such as the right to work, get educated, and participate
fully in society. This is especially pronounced in certain European
countries, such as France where the government has implemented
laws that restrict the wearing of religious symbols in public spaces,
including the hijab. Trends show us that Muslims feel less safe in
many European countries and that safety is declining year over year,
especially for Muslim women.
Even if there are still ongoing discussions in Europe about whether to
permit or forbid head covering, it is getting harder for Muslim women
to exist and prosper in a culture that openly discriminates against
them. Thus, the hijab, which is gradually turning into a subject of
preoccupation for the media and various political elites in power,
expands from merely being a religious garment to being the major
question related to Muslim women's identities and, in certain cases,
even an act of resistance.

Under colonial rule, Muslim women were encouraged to be more like

European women and remove the veil. As demands for independence
from colonial rule grew, the veil, Killian says, became a “symbol of
national identity and opposition to the West.”

World Hijab day:

Today, some Muslim women in America may wear the hijab as a way of
asserting their pride in the face of Islamophobia. World Hijab Day,
celebrated on Feb. 1, starting in 2013, came about through the efforts
of Nazma Khan, an immigrant to the United States from Bangladesh,
who had been shamed over wearing a headscarf. She decided to start a
day when both Muslim and non-Muslim women could experience
wearing the head garment.

Pre-Islamic headcovering/veiling practices in

other religions and cultures
It is important to note that the practice of veiling long preceded the
rise of Islam in the 7th century, and it continues to be observed by
some Christians and Jews in the 21st century. Muslim women have not
been the only women who worn hijab, but this practice was clear for
women in Christianity and Judaism. One used to see veiled women in
Europe, Asia, and Africa historically. Islam thus did not invent the
convention of veiling but probably incorporated local customs as it
spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and to southeastern Asia,
northern Africa, and southern Europe over the centuries.

Veiling in ancient Mesopotamia, Byzantine, Greek,

and Persian empire:
Veiling and head covering did not originate with the advent of Islam.
sculptures or figurines (statuettes) from ancient times that portray
priestesses wearing veils have beem found depicting veiled priestesses
date back as far as 2500 BC. Elite women in ancient Mesopotamia
and in the Byzantine, Greek, and Persian empires wore the veil as a
sign of "respectability and high status".
In many different societies and civilizations from Ancient Greece to
Constantinople, women donned extra cloth.
Appropriating extra cloth was a critical way in which women would
distinguish their class role in society and distinguish themselves from
poorer and “unchaste” women while In Greece, married women were
expected to cover as a sign of modesty and respectability. Strict
seclusion and the veiling of matrons were also customary in ancient
Greece. Between 550 and 323 BCE, prior to Christianity, respectable
women in classical Greek society were expected to seclude themselves
and wear clothing that concealed them from the eyes of strange men.
In ancient Mesopotamia, Assyria had explicit sumptuary laws
detailing which women must veil and which women must not,
depending upon the woman's class, rank, and occupation in
society.Female slaves and prostitutes were forbidden to veil and faced
harsh penalties if they did so. Veiling was thus not only a marker of
aristocratic rank, but also served to "differentiate between
'respectable' women and those who were publicly available".This
shows the origins of the hijab can be traced back to ancient
Mesopotamia, where women would wear veils to protect themselves
from the harsh desert climate to it being worn by women in different
civilizations and cultures, from ancient Greece to modern times.

Roman Veiling Practices:

Roman pagan custom included the practice of the head covering worn
by the priestesses of Vesta (Vestal Virgins).

Roman statue of a Vestal Virgin

Modesty became an important rabbinic virtue in the early Roman

period, and it may have been intended to distinguish Jewish women
from their non-Jewish counterparts in Babylonian and later in Greco-
Roman society. According to rabbinical precepts, married Jewish
women have to cover their hair with (Mitpaḥat) (Head covering for
Jewish women). In Judaism, the practice of women covering their
heads is primarily associated with married women, and it has
traditional and cultural roots.
"Mitpachat" or headscarf, which is often worn by married Jewish
women, particularly within Orthodox and some Conservative Jewish
communities. This practice is often based on interpretations of Jewish
law and customs.
The tradition of married Jewish women covering their heads is
influenced by various passages from Jewish religious texts, including
the Talmud and commentaries on the Torah
In more liberal branches of Judaism, such as Reform and
Reconstructionist Judaism, the practice of women covering their
heads is often a matter of personal choice rather than a strict religious
obligation. In contrast, within Orthodox and some Conservative
Jewish communities, the tradition of women covering their heads is
more commonly observed.

Headcovering in Christianity: Biblical Mandate and

Historical continuity:

The best-known view on Christian headcovering is delineated in the

Bible within the passage in 1 Corinthians 11:4-7, which states that

"But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered
dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a
woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut
off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her
head shaved, then she should cover her head."

The early Church Fathers, including Tertullian of Carthage, Clement of

Alexandria, Hippolytus of Rome, John Chrysostom and Augustine of
Hippo attested in their writings that Christian women should wear a
headcovering, . There is archaeological evidence demonstrating that
headcovering was observed as an ordinance by women in early
Christianity, and the practice of Christian headcovering continues
among female adherents of many Christian denominations today,
especially among Anabaptist Christians, as well as among certain
Eastern Orthodox Christians, Oriental Orthodox Christians and
Reformed Christians, among others.

Hindu Veiling: Indian Subcontinent Practices

In the Indian subcontinent, Hindu women cover their heads with a veil
in a practice known as ghoonghat.
Intermixing of populations resulted in a convergence of the cultural
practices of Greek, Persian, and Mesopotamian empires and the
Semitic peoples of the Middle East.
The ghoonghat holds significant cultural and social symbolism. It is
often associated with modesty, respect, and marital status. Married
Hindu women, in particular, are expected to cover their heads as a sign
of respect for their husbands and elders. The ghoonghat is commonly
worn during religious ceremonies, family gatherings, and other
auspicious occasions.

BAN ON HIJAB AROUND THE WORLD

Violations of religious freedoms and rights of Muslim women
Advocates of the hijab ban argue that government institutions and
public services must maintain a “neutral” appearance to avoid
endorsing or promoting any particular religion or ideology. They claim
that allowing employees to display their religious beliefs through attire
would compromise the principle of neutrality and might even create a
hostile environment for those who do not share the same beliefs. The
2021 ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) allowing employers
to restrict the display of ’religious symbols’ including the Islamic
headscarf, albeit under specific conditions, puts women who wear the
hijab at a disadvantage in the EU labor market. They risk being denied
job opportunities based on employers' perceptions that their attire
could pose a challenge.
In 2021, the disputed Law n. 2021-1109 confirming respect for the
principles of the Republic, widely known as the ‘anti-separatism’ law,
was approved by the French National Assembly amid harsh
condemnation from both left and right-leaning lawmakers. This law
represents an extension of France's nearly two-decade-old anti-Islamic
stance, which began with the country's first law banning the hijab in
public schools in 2004. Critics claim that law no. 2021-1109 violates
religious freedoms, despite the government's claims that it is necessary
to support France's secular system.
The French Senate also approved a provision that forbids minors from
wearing a headscarf in public, calling for the ‘prohibition in the public
space of any conspicuous religious sign by minors and of any dress or
clothing which would signify inferiority of women over men’. It also
targets those who serve on Municipal Councils and those who work for
private businesses that provide a public service, such as bus drivers or
social housing concierges. The current situation in France contains
serious injustices that strongly link racism, assimilation, and
colonialism in relation to Muslims, especially Muslim women wearing
the hijab.
Unfortunately, the circumstances in other European countries are not
different from those in France. While there are some good practices,
such as the adaptation of police uniforms to women who wear the
hijab in Great Britain, and the introduction of sports hijab as part of
the dress code by the women's football association in Finland, there
are also more and more instances of restrictions and discrimination.
The German Federal Parliament passed a law that deals with the
appearance of government employees in 2021. To ensure that
‘neutrality’ in public administration is not affected, the measure
emphasizes the ban on wearing ‘religious symbols’ for government
servants. Regardless of their eligibility or qualifications, such
regulations notably impact Muslim women wearing the hijab.
Moreover, it is important to acknowledge that this impact is
disproportionately felt by women, as compared to men.
On the other hand, there are European countries where there are no
explicit laws prohibiting any sort of displays of religion, but the
prevailing narratives fuel anti-Muslim sentiment and Islamophobia to
the point where Muslim women face discrimination daily. Hungary is
one such country. In a study conducted with Muslim women in
Hungary, Esra Aytar and Peter Bodor claim that verbal abuse against
Muslim women persists and is made worse by the public's great hatred
for individuals they perceive to be outsiders

A human rights issue:

The implications of the hijab ban for women who observe the practice
of covering their heads and bodies are significant. The prohibition of
the hijab should be viewed as an issue of individual freedom and
autonomy. Everyone has the right to express themselves in the way
they choose, including through their clothing choices, without fear of
discrimination or persecution. Denying women the right to wear the
hijab can be seen as an attempt to restrict their freedom and deny
them their right to express their religious beliefs and cultural identity.
As Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights stipulates,
‘everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion’
and this right includes the freedom to manifest their ‘religion or beliefs
in worship, teaching, practice, or observance’. However, this right is
not absolute and can be limited in certain circumstances. Such
limitations may be justified when they are necessary in a democratic
society and there is a legitimate aim, such as ‘public safety’, ‘public
order’, ‘health’, or ‘morals’, or ‘for the protection of the rights and
freedoms of others’, but the limitation must be necessary and
proportionate. This means that, when a government wants to impose a
ban on the hijab, it has the obligation to show that such a ban is
necessary to achieve a legitimate aim. Imposed bans may not
discriminate against individuals based on their religion, gender, or
other characteristics. The right of individuals to make their own
choices about how they dress and express themselves, including their
religious beliefs and cultural identity have to be respected along the
way.
The right to freedom of religion is not a right that stands alone, rather,
it is tied to other human rights, such as the right to work, the right to
education, and the right to be an active member of the society. When
restricted to dress according to their beliefs, Muslim women are
immediately prevented from exercising their right to work and
education, and to participate in other aspects of public life, as they
may face discriminatory practices or be unable to find employment or
educational opportunities due to their religious identity. Failing to
meet societal expectations will ‘force’ some Muslim women to remove
the hijab to pursue different opportunities, while others will opt to
confine themselves to the private sphere, suppressing their potential to
actively participate in the development of a better and more inclusive
society.
The hijab is not just a religious symbol but one's right to express
religious views publicly and an essential component of Muslim
women's identity. Besides being the product of the overall anti-Muslim
sentiment in Europe, hijab prohibition practices should never be seen
as a step toward the liberation of women but as a continuation of long-
standing patriarchal traditions that dictate how women should dress
and where they can fit into a society based on their outward
appearance.
CASE STUDIES

FRANCE:
The hijab has been a subject of controversy in many countries, with
some governments imposing bans on it. The burqa was banned in
public for the first time in Europe when France did so. In France, the
hijab has been a contentious issue for decades. In 2004, the French
government passed a law banning the wearing of “conspicuous”
religious symbols in public schools, including the hijab. In 2010, the
French parliament passed a law banning the wearing of the full-face
veil, including the niqab and burqa, in public spaces. For violating the
restriction, women may face fines of up to 150 euros as well as
citizenship instructions. Whereas, a 30,000 euro fine awaits anyone
who forces a lady to cover her face. In 2021, the French Senate passed
an amendment that would ban girls under 18 from wearing the hijab
in public. Islamophobia in France reached its peak after the terrorist
attacks by ISIS in 2015. France since then has indulged in various
activities leading to outrage among the Muslim populace worldwide.
French policies against face viels of Muslim women has also made
Muslims a subject of oppression, taking away their freedom to practice
their faith.
In 2021, the disputed Law n. 2021-1109 confirming respect for the
principles of the Republic, widely known as the ‘anti-separatism’ law,
was approved by the French National Assembly amid harsh
condemnation from both left and right-leaning lawmakers. This law
represents an extension of France's nearly two-decade-old anti-Islamic
stance, which began with the country's first law banning the hijab in
public schools in 2004. Critics claim that law no. 2021-1109 violates
religious freedoms, despite the government's claims that it is necessary
to support France's secular system. The French Senate also approved a
provision that forbids minors from wearing a headscarf in public,
calling for the ‘prohibition in the public space of any conspicuous
religious sign by minors and of any dress or clothing which would
signify inferiority of women over men’. It also targets those who serve
on Municipal Councils and those who work for private businesses that
provide a public service, such as bus drivers or social housing
concierges. The current situation in France contains serious injustices
that strongly link racism, assimilation, and colonialism in relation to
Muslims, especially Muslim women wearing the hijab.

IRAN:
The Compulsory Hijab Law
It became compulsory for women to cover themselves in Iran,
following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The government draws on parts
of the Quran and the Hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Mohammad) to
justify the policy, though Muslim religious writing is not entirely clear
on whether women should veil.

Islamic dress codes are strictly enforced by Iran's morality police, who
prowl the streets in vans detaining those with "inappropriate" clothing.
Despite the threat of arrest, millions of Iranian women actively oppose
the hijab, wearing it loosely around their heads or on their shoulders.
Resistance to the compulsory hijab was almost immediate inside Iran.
After Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini - the revolution's
figurehead - said women should observe Islamic dress codes in 1979
there were fiery protests, leading the government to say his comments
were only a recommendation. They became law in 1983. Protests
against the hijab have continued sporadically ever since, culminating
in the women burning their headscarves and dancing in the streets
seen last year.
A growing proportion of women in Iran have abandoned their
mandatory hijabs since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the
custody of the country’s so-called “morality police” last September,
which triggered months of protests across the country. Failure to
comply with the dress code can result in penalties, including fines,
warnings, and even arrests. The morality police are responsible for
enforcing the law. The compulsory hijab law has had a significant
impact on Iranian society. While some women adhere to the dress code
due to religious beliefs or societal expectations, others view it as a form
of oppression that restricts personal freedoms and choices.

Many Iranian women have resisted the compulsory hijab law through
various forms of civil disobedience, including removing their
headscarves in public as a form of protest. Social media has provided a
platform for women to share images and stories of their resistance,
contributing to a broader dialogue about women's rights in Iran. The
law has garnered international attention and has been criticized by
human rights organizations and advocates for women's rights.
International campaigns such as "My Stealthy Freedom" have sought
to raise awareness about the experiences of Iranian women under this
law and advocate for their right to choose their attire. There have been
calls for reforms to the compulsory hijab law within Iran.

Some reform-minded individuals and groups advocate for greater

personal freedom and choice in matters of dress. However, pushback
from conservative factions and the government's religious authorities
has complicated efforts to bring about significant changes. Views on
the compulsory hijab law can vary widely within Iranian society.
Younger generations, in particular, often hold more liberal views and
desire greater freedom of expression and choice in clothing. These
generational shifts are contributing to ongoing debates about the role
of religious dress codes in public life.
INDIA
At first, although some schools in India do not allow girls to wear hijab
in classrooms, it was not banned in the country. Being a secular nation,
the country allowed people to donn headscarves, turbans or other
religious clothing in public.
Between 2021-2022 several government-run educational institutions
in India’s Karnataka state have banned Muslim female students from
wearing the hijab, or headscarf. The state government, led by the
Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has backed the
discriminatory ban, passing a directive last week saying, “clothes which
disturb equality, integrity, and public law and order should not be
worn.”
Bengaluru, India – The ban on hijab in colleges in the southern Indian
state of Karnataka has triggered a major row amid growing concerns
that the attacks on Muslim symbols and practices are part of the larger
Hindu far-right agenda of imposing majoritarian values on minorities.

The country’s 200 million Muslim minority community fear the ban on
hijab violates their religious freedom guaranteed under India’s
constitution. The US ambassador-at-large for International Religious
Freedom on Friday said the hijab ban would stigmatise and
marginalise women and girls.
Amid increasing tensions and protests between Hindu and Muslim
students around the hijab in schools, Karnataka authorities have shut
down schools and colleges for three days.They students were also told
that they cannot write the pre-board exam if we don’t remove our
hijab. On February 8,2022 as the Karnataka High Court heard petitions
by Muslim students supporting the right to wear the hijab, viral videos
emerged of a mob of Hindu youth heckling a female Muslim student
for wearing one. A day later, according to a news report, admission
forms of six female Muslim students at the forefront
of the protests, including their phone numbers and home addresses,
were leaked online.
The hijab ban violates India’s obligations under international human
rights law, which guarantees the rights to freely manifest one’s
religious beliefs, to freedom of expression, and to education without
discrimination. Likewise, forcing women and girls to wear religious
garments also violates religious freedom and privacy rights under
international law.

The hijab ban is the latest example of Indian authorities increasingly

seeking to marginalize Muslims, exposing them to heightened violence.
At the national and state levels, BJP governments have adopted a slew
of laws and policies that systematically discriminate against religious
minorities and vulnerable communities, especially Muslims.
In December 2021, Hindu ultra-nationalists, many with links to the
BJP, held a three-day religious convention in Uttarakhand in which
speakers openly called for the killing of Muslims. In Haryana state, the
BJP chief minister backed Hindu vigilantes demanding that Muslim
prayers in public spaces be stopped. Working-class Muslims are often
beaten up, threatened, and harassed with impunity. Photographs of
hundreds of prominent educated Muslim women have been displayed
on apps saying they were for sale, to humiliate, degrade, and intimidate
them.

This all comes from a government that says it supports girls’

“education and participation.” It needs to act on those words, ensure
that schools are inclusive spaces, and safeguard girls’ right to wear a
hijab free of intimidation
LIST OF OTHER COUNTRIES WITH BAN:

Canada:
Wearing religious symbols for all public servants in positions of
authority in Canadian province Québec are prohibited.

Belgium:
In 2011, Belgium followed France’s lead and implemented bans on
full-face-covering clothing such as the burqa or the hijab. The act
prohibited the wearing of clothes that conceals the wearer’s identity in
public areas. Breaking the law can result in a fine or up to seven days
in prison.

Russia:
Hijab is banned in schools and varsities in two regions of Russia– the
Republic of Mordovia and the Stavropol Territory.
Switzerland:
In March 2021, Switzerland became one of the European countries to
outlaw burqas. After slightly over 51 per cent of Swiss voters voted in
favour of the prohibition, it was implemented.

Kazakhstan:
Some schools banned headscarves in Kazakhastan in 2017. A year
later, the government proposed a ban on people wearing headscarves,
niqabs, and other similar forms of clothes in public.

Sri Lanka;
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet approved a proposed ban on wearing full-face
veils in public, including burqas, in April 2021, claiming national
security reasons. Burqas were briefly outlawed in 2019 after more
than 250 people were killed in suicide bombings on Easter Sunday.
Netherlands:
In the Netherlands, a prohibition on all full-face coverings, including
some forms of Muslim attire, went into effect in 2019. The
implementation of the ‘Burqa Ban’ took the Dutch government
fourteen years. It was first enacted by a majority in the Lower House in
2005, but it did not pass constitutional challenges.

Austria;
Face coverings have been illegal in Austria since 2017 when the Law
Against Wearing Face Veils was passed. The law mandates that persons
reveal their entire face, from chin to hairline. Violations can result in a
fine of up to 150 euros.

Kosovo;
Wearing of hijab in public schools, universities and government
buildings is banned since 2009. However, in 2014, Kosovo got its first
women parliamentarian with a headscarf.

Kyrgyzstan;
Some schools in Kyrgyzstan barred Muslim students donning
headscarves from attending classes in 2011, 2012 and 2015.

Uzbekistan:
The government in 2012 banned the selling of religious clothing such
as hijabs and face veils in the market. In 2018, an Uzbek imam was
sacked by the Uzbek authorities after he urged the country’s President
to lift a ban on religious symbols including the hijab.

Bosnia and Herzegovina:

Despite being a secular country, wearing the hijab and other religious
symbols are banned in courts and other institutions. Presently, Muslim
women employed in judicial institutions are prohibited to wear hijab to
work.
Bulgaria:
In the aftermath of Islamist extremist attacks in Europe, Bulgaria’s
parliament outlawed face veils in public in 2016. The nationalist
Patriotic Front coalition’s “burqa ban” law replicates similar measures
taken in other Western European countries.

Denmark:
Denmark joined other European countries in prohibiting face-covering
clothing, including Islamic veils like the hijab and burqa, in 2018.
Since two suicide bomb bombings in June 2015, women in Chad have
been prohibited from wearing a complete veil. The prime minister,
Kalzeube Pahimi Deubet, described it as “camouflage” and declared
that all burqas on the market would be burned. People who wear them
may be arrested and sentenced to prison. So far, Chad is the only
Muslim-majority country to criminalise religious face veils.

Republic of Congo:
The Republic of the Congo, often known as Congo-Brazzaville, became
the first African government to outlaw the burqa in May 2015. In
Congo-Brazzaville, Muslims account for less than 5 per cent of the
population.

Bulgaria, Denmark, Italy (in some localities), the Netherlands (in

public places) and Spain (in some parts of Catalonia) followed suit

Switzerland: A study published by Centre of Security Studies in Zurich

showed that a staggering 46% of the Swiss populace considers Islam as
a threat . As a result, it is no surprise that the Swiss government too
formed oppressive laws against Muslims, specifically the ban on face
veils. If one fails to follow this law , they can be fined with up to $1000.
UN EFFORTS:

While the UN doesn't directly intervene in the domestic affairs of

sovereign nations, it advocates for human rights and gender equality
through diplomacy, awareness campaigns, and support for local
organizations. Here are some past actions taken by the UN to tackle
violence against women in Iran:

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against

Women (CEDAW): CEDAW is an international treaty that aims to
eliminate discrimination against women in all aspects of life. Iran is a
signatory to CEDAW, which obligates the country to take measures to
address violence against women and ensure gender equality.

Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women: The UN has

appointed Special Rapporteurs to address specific human rights issues,
including violence against women. These experts conduct research,
raise awareness, and make recommendations to governments.

Universal Periodic Review (UPR): Iran's human rights record,

including issues related to women's rights and violence against women,
is subject to review through the UPR process. During this process, UN
member states make recommendations to Iran on how to improve its
human rights situation, including addressing violence against women

The UN has made various efforts to counter this xenophobia:

● The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution
sponsored by 60 Member-States of the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC), which designated 15 March as the International
Day to Combat Islamophobia.
● 1978,1-12 August 1978; World Conference against racism,
discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance, was held in
Geneva,Switzerland.

● 1983,14-25 August 1983; 2nd World Conference against racism,

discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance, was held in Geneva,
Switzerland.

● 2001, 31 August-8 september; 3rd World Conference against racism,

discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance, was held in Durban.

● In response to the alarming trend of rising hate speech around the

world, Secretary-General António Guterres launched the United
Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.

● Marking the first International Day to Combat Islamophobia in 2021,

UN Secretary-General António Guterres pointed out that anti-Muslim
bigotry is part of a larger trend of a resurgence in ethno-nationalism,
neo-Nazism, stigma and hate speech targeting vulnerable populations
including Muslim communities, as well as others. “As the Holy Quran
reminds us: nations and tribes were created to know one another.
Diversity is a richness, not a threat,” he added.

● The EU has established a coordinator on combating anti muslim

hatred, who works with EU Member states, European institutions,civil
society and academia to strengthen policy responses in the field of anti
muslim hatred. The coordinator will be the main point of contact for
Muslim communities and organizations working in this field in the EU.

● The UN has taken numerous actions over the years to address human
right abuses in military and hybrid regimes
● Universal Declaration Of Human Rights(1948): The UN General
Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a
foundational Document that outlines the fundamental rights and
freedoms to which all individuals are entitled. This declaration has
served as a guiding framework for subsequent actions on human rights
abuses.

The Personal Is the Political

For many young women, donning the hijab became a way to reclaim
their religious and cultural identity, especially in the Western diaspora
and amidst a political revival. For the first time in modern history, the
situation of the hijab in a new political context worldwide inspired a
new generation of young women insistent upon wearing the hijab even
as their mothers didn’t, and seeking to reclaim their personal identities
challenged by or lost to assimilation.

The challenges young Muslim women face in wearing the hijab

continue to present themselves, and, in the West, are harder than ever.
Yet it is because of their challenges, and commitment to women’s
agency, rather than in spite of it, that these young women find their
hijab to be a great source of strength, rather than a barrier.

The Hijab as a Symbol of Empowerment

For many Muslim women, wearing the hijab is a symbol of
empowerment.

It allows them to assert their identity and faith in a world that often
misunderstands or stereotypes them.

The hijab can be a source of strength and pride, enabling women to

navigate both their religious and secular lives with confidence.
Hijab Influencers
With the advent of social media, hijab influencers have emerged as
powerful voices in the fashion industry.
These influencers use platforms like Instagram and YouTube to
showcase their unique hijab styles and inspire others.
They have played a significant role in challenging stereotypes and
promoting inclusivity in the fashion world.

The Hijab and Identity:

For many Muslim women, the hijab is an integral part of their identity.
It is a visible symbol of their faith and a way to connect with their
community. The hijab can also serve as a form of resistance against
societal pressures and expectations, allowing women to define
themselves on their own terms.

The Hijab as Cultural Identity

For many Muslim women, the hijab is not just a religious symbol but
also a cultural identity.
It is a way to connect with their heritage and express their cultural
pride.
The hijab can serve as a bridge between religious and cultural
identities, fostering a sense of belonging and community.

Education and Awareness:

Education and awareness are key in fostering understanding and
acceptance of the hijab.
By providing accurate information about the history, significance, and
diversity of the hijab, we can combat misconceptions and promote
cultural sensitivity.
It is essential to engage in respectful conversations and learn from one
another.