Un Opposes Imposing Dress Codes On Women After France Bars Hijab

The United Nations (UN) has emphasized its opposition to imposing dress codes on women, following France's decision to prohibit its Olympic athletes from wearing the Muslim hijab during the 2024 Paris Games. The UN's rights office spokeswoman, Marta Hurtado, made this statement during a press briefing in Geneva, underlining the importance of women's autonomy in deciding what to wear. France's sports minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera, reiterated the country's strict secularism rules, stating that athletes would not be allowed to wear headscarves during the Games. The French government has consistently expressed its opposition to displaying religious symbols during sporting events, emphasizing the principle of neutrality in public services. While Marta Hurtado did not directly address France's stance, she pointed out that the international Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women prohibits discriminatory practices. She emphasized that state parties to the convention, including France, have an obligation to combat social or cultural patterns that promote the superiority or inferiority of either gender. Hurtado explained that restrictions on religious attire should only be imposed in specific circumstances addressing legitimate concerns such as public safety, public order, public health, or morals, and in a necessary and proportionate manner. France's strict secularism laws aim to maintain the state's neutrality in religious matters while preserving citizens' right to practice their religion freely. These laws forbid the display of "ostentatious" religious symbols in certain contexts, such as state schools and among civil servants, and banned full-face coverings in 2010. In June, France's Council of State upheld a ban on women footballers wearing the hijab, highlighting the ongoing debate over religious dress codes in the country. The UN's stance underscores the importance of respecting women's choices and protecting their rights regarding attire without imposing restrictions based on religious or cultural beliefs.