FEMINISM IN ATTIRE : THE ABAYA

Abaya's Role in Women's Emancipation

I was discussing with my friend yesterday, following the recent decision in France to prohibit Abayas in schools.

This situation led me to reflect on how the Abaya evolved as a means of empowering women's bodies and how the French government appears to be intolerant of it.

The Abaya is as much a religious gown that a djellaba and I find it somewhat ironic when individuals hide their Islamophobia behind claims of secularism while labelling the Abaya as merely a religious garment.

The origins of the abaya trace back to ancient times, when women adorned simple tunics and cloaks. However, with the rise of Islam, the abaya became intertwined with Islamic attire, symbolising the concept of modesty.

Throughout time, as Muslim women began embracing fashion as a form of self-expression, innovative approaches to wearing the abaya emerged. 

The Abaya has evolved over time into a potent instrument for the empowerment of women's bodies.

Originally crafted to embody principles of modesty and cultural identity, the Abaya has transformed into a symbol of empowerment and choice for women.

The Abaya has evolved over time into a potent instrument for the empowerment of women's bodies. Originally crafted to embody principles of modesty and cultural identity, the Abaya has transformed into a symbol of empowerment and choice for women.

By embracing this graceful garment, women reclaim authority over their own bodies, challenging societal norms and expectations. The Abaya serves as a shield, safeguarding women from objectification and the scrutiny often encountered in public spaces.

Through its loose silhouette, the Abaya grants women the freedom to move without constraints, providing both physical comfort and the ability to navigate the world on their own terms. It is a statement that celebrates women's autonomy and agency, accentuating their strength while draping their bodies with grace and dignity.

The issue lies in the notion that, particularly in Western societies, women are expected and even compelled to be objects of desire. White men historically had access to white women, and this privilege extended to interactions with black women, facilitated by their journeys to Africa

Observing African women without breast coverings, they incorrectly interpreted this as a signal of promiscuity. It's worth noting that breasts are not sexual organs; their primary purpose is to nourish children.However, I digress from this topic.

Subsequently, when they journey to countries with predominantly "Muslim" populations, they encounter a barrier. They find themselves unable to have the same access to Muslim women, who conceal their bodies and faces. This contrast is stark—back in 1960, Algerian women were compelled to discard their veils.

In May 1958, during an orchestrated 'Revolution' aimed at overthrowing the Fourth Republic, Muslim Algerian women were forced to remove their veils and casting them into flames in front of everyone.

Given that women are often confined to being objects of desire, they face a dilemma when it comes to dressing. If they dress in a certain way, they're labeled as promiscuous; if they opt for more coverage, they're deemed extremists. It seems like an unwinnable scenario. This is why I've been attempting to deconstruct the narrative of sexual liberation as it appears to be yet another tool of the patriarchal system to me.

While the concept of sexual liberation has been portrayed as a means for women to embrace and express their sexuality without inhibition, a closer analysis unveils its manipulation by patriarchal structures. While it might project itself as empowering, it's essential to recognize that it can also serve as a means to perpetuate the oppression of women. This concept might create the illusion of freedom, but in reality, it often reinforces the male gaze and objectification, further entrenching traditional gender roles.

To me, the abaya stands out as a potent symbol of not only cultural identity but also the liberation and empowerment of women's bodies. This is the real sexual liberation. It signifies a profound shift towards feminine empowerment. In its evolution, the abaya has come to embody choice, autonomy, and self-assuredness. It challenges and defies prevailing stereotypes that have long surrounded notions of femininity.
By wearing the abaya, women challenge societal norms that often trivialise and objectify women's bodies. They reclaim their autonomy by shifting the focus from their physical appearance to their intellect, achievements, and ideas.

The abaya, in this context, serves as a shield against objectification and enables women to be judged for their character rather than their looks.
Furthermore, the abaya has the potential to challenge global beauty standards and redefine societal expectations of femininity.

In a world dominated by unrealistic beauty ideals, the abaya presents an alternative narrative.

It reflects the belief that a woman's worth lies beyond her physical appearance, emphasizing the importance of inner strength, intellect, and character. 

The current prohibition of abayas in France has prompted me to reflect on the parallels with the infamous Witch-hunt. Both situations transpire in a climate of discrimination, repression, and the authoritarian reach of the state.
The French government seeks to demonise and stereotype Muslim women, akin to the Witch-hunt's portrayal of women as malevolent.

Media, public figures, and even French officials sometimes perpetuate stereotypes about abaya-wearing Muslim women, fostering mistrust, fear, and alienation. This occurs despite the abaya being primarily worn as an expression of faith and cultural identity.

During the Witch-hunt, governments ardently supported persecution, enacting laws and systems to identify, prosecute, and penalize alleged witches. Likewise, in France, governmental actions have aimed to limit religious symbols like the Abaya.

For example, the 2010 ban on full-face veils directly impacts Muslim women who don the Abaya for religious expression, infringing upon their rights and autonomy.

The French government aims to stigmatise and isolate Muslim women, mirroring the social ostracism and severe penalties faced by accused witches. Similarly, in France, Abaya-wearing Muslim women experience marginalisation, enduring discrimination in areas like employment, education, and daily interactions due to their appearance.

This engenders alienation, further fueling a cycle of fear, prejudice, and bias.

As society continues to grapple with cultural clashes and gender biases, the abaya remains a symbol of the intricate struggle for women's autonomy. Its evolution echoes the need for societies to embrace diversity, redefine femininity, and ultimately value individuals for their character, actions, and ideas.