antman said:
.....Banning clothing is absurd. Except maybe skinny jeans on 50 year old guys.
hahaha... that's funny, antman! And I totally agree
It does sound absurd doesn't it - Pythonesque even - to ban a piece of clothing ..... but that is only if you look at wearing a burka as a single event. From my pov, and in context wearing the burka is just one symptom of many symptoms of an ultra conservative cultural package which clearly discriminates against women. Those ultra conservative communities in which wearing the burka is common are clearly ‘misogynistic ’ in nature, as Australians understand the definition of the term. They do not advance gender equality. And in Australia we are fighting for gender equality for all women, aren’t we?
If a case for wearing the burka can be made on the grounds of free choice or cultural tradition then doesn't it follow that the same case can be made for other misogynistic practices which may exist in those very same ultra conservative cultures. Arranged marriage, social and travel prohibitions, career prohibitions, legal and medical restrictions subject to male approval or any other rulings drawn up by historical patriarchs could also fall under the free choice/cultural umbrella.
To believe that wearing the burka is just 'clothing' and doesn’t come as part of a broader package of discriminatory and oppressive elements against women is overly optimistic in my view.