In this paper the author pays attention to the veil in relation to third world feminisms. Third world feminisms pursue political agendas inserted to post-colonial nationhood and internationalised feminisms.
In the early months of 2010, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy told Parliament that the burqa is “not welcome” in France, citing this as a step to defend France against extremists. Employing Edward Said’s theoretical notion of “Orientalism” as means of discussing the “Other,” I argue for a more critical look at France’s role in limiting religious freedom and denying notions of female agency. More specifically, I urge a more diversified view of feminism and female identity outside of the Western paradigm. By viewing the veil as a rhetorically universal symbol of oppression, Western feminists and political figures are missing the opportunity to recognize the diversity of religious adherence and feminist agency that exist in a variety of forms, some of which are highlighted in this paper. While touting the ban’s role in promoting gender equality, Sarkozy employs “faux feminism”– a specious appropriation of feminist sentiment to rationalize Orientalist aims. In effect, this approach reifies Muslim women as victims in need of Western“ heroes” while promoting a unique form of sexist Islamophobia.'
Paper in which the author, assistant Professor Women's Studies Program California State University, explores feminist's efforts to raise awareness about women in Afghanistan under the Taliban. Researched are the rise of the Taliban and their specific policies toward women, as well as feminist international mobilization around these policies. The internet was explored, most information used was found on the websites of the Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) and the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA).