Discrimination and the Hijab: The Role of Social Workers

Discrimination and the Hijab: The Role of Social Workers Melissa Sadaka The aftermath of several political, legal, and historical events has led to the negative representations and tensions towards Islam and its practices in Western society. These depictions have impacted Muslim women who wear the hijab as they are religiously identifiable (Hyder, Parrington, Hussain, 2015). It is evident in the literature and media that discrimination towards the hijab continues to remain a social problem in the West. Discrimination is the mistreatment of an individual due to their race status or background (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2015). Not only does it result in a marginalised society, discrimination is ideologically offensive and negatively effects the individual and society as whole. As demonstrated in the literature, the hijab is discriminated against due the misinterpreted views, held by non-Muslims, that the women who wear it are oppressed and associated with terrorism (Al Wazni, 2015,). These views have proved to negatively affect the daily experie nces and identity of Muslim women as they face difficulties and acts of discrimination in settings such as school, work and the public. Social work essentially aims to focus on and draw attention to discriminatory beliefs and customs that lead to both poor public principles and mental health (Hosken, 2013). It mandatory for all social workers to participate in socially and racially proficient education and advocacy that encourages diversity while concurrently reducing fear and doubt (Australian Association of Social Workers, 2010) . As an occupation and discipline, social work has come to accept the responsibility of tackling and eliminating discrimination in the lives of individuals it assists through both direct and indirect methods (Graham, Bradshaw, Trew, 2009). The current paper will analyse and critique the role of social work and its function in responding to discrimination towards Muslim women particularly in Australia. Recent and alternate social work approaches such as policy, education, research and practice in response to the social problem will also be identified. Social workers recognise the power of diversity as it is competent in characterising and shaping the human experience and is significant to the development of identity. All individuals have basic and fundamental human rights despite their position in society. Securing and ensuring that these rights are protected and believing in the value of the individual are important responsibilities in social work today (Graham, Bradshaw, Trew, 2009) Historically, social work has been criticised due its previous practices in failing to respond to present circumstances and endorsing the standards of a white middle class society(Matsuoka Thompson). Present approaches for social workers mandates them to understand the power of diversity and harness it in order to build a better human society and experience. It is a social workers responsibility to uphold any human beings right and their values and to eradicate discrimination under any basis (Ressler Hodge). The Code of ethics of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW, 2010) provides a set of ethical principle and standards to govern social work behavior in relation to discrimination. The organizations Code of Ethics in Australia includes the principle that social workers should challenge social injustice-focusing primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and other manifestations-and that their activities should promote sensitivity to and knowledge a bout oppression and cultural and ethnic diversity. Further, the Code states, social workers should strive to ensure access to needed information, services, and resources; equality of opportunity; and meaningful participation in decision-making for all people. (AASW, 2010, p.17). A Muslim woman in Australia who has experienced a form of discrimination has access to a range of services and programs that can assist her. The Department of Social Services (DSS), the main source of accessing social policies in Australia, is designed to support and enhance the lives of Australians (2015). The DSS promotes a Multicultural Australia and can provide those who have been discriminated against with multiple resources and support services. The DSS can assist A Muslim woman who has been discriminated against by providing her with information and referrals to programs and policies. The DSS will provide her with information on current Australian anti-discrimination laws and provide her with the option of submitting a complaint to the Australia human rights commission who will then further deliver additional assistance. The Department of human services (DHS) is the main source of access to health, payment and social support for Australians and includes a team of social worker s that can also assist those who use their service (2015). Ghumman and Ryan (2013) study determined that wearing a Hijab amplified both formal and informal discrimination when applying for work. In this example[MS1], a Muslim woman who is using DHS services can contact a DHS social worker for further support if she feels that her hijab is effecting her chances in gaining a full-time job. The DHS social work services can deliver short term counselling, referrals to a range of services and support information. Overall, to sustain both professionalism and diversity in social work it is required to understand basic human rights and reasonable practices to assist victims of discrimination. Their voices should be heard and necessary support should be provided as with every human being. The discrimination towards people based on what they wear and what religion they practice will be ongoing as the current generation and society is poisoned by the narrow thoughts and vague ideas generated from power sources such a media and politics. An individuals choice to wear a garment that represents their faith should be respected within the social work profession. Though Australia is multicultural and embraces diversity and tolerance, discrimination towards the hijab remains existent. Social workers need to be able to demonstrate an understanding of cultural and religious customs, such as the hijab, to establish a justified and enhanced interaction with clients. Social workers should challenge social inju stice by embracing diversity through advocacy. Muslim women who wear the hijab should be viewed as positive assets to work with and learn from. References Al Wazni, A. B. (2015). Muslim Women in America and Hijab: A Study of Empowerment, Feminist Identity, and Body Image. Social Work, 60(4), 325-333. doi:10.1093/sw/swv033 Australian Association of Social Workers. (2010). Code of Ethics AASW. Retrieved March 6, 2017, from https://www.aasw.asn.au/practitioner-resources/code-of-ethics Australian Human Rights Commission. (2015). Complaint information. Retrieved March 7, 2017, from https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/WEB_Info_making_unlawful_discrimination.pdf Department of Human Services. (2017). Social work services Australian Government Department of Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/social-work-services Department Social Services. (2015). What We Do | Department of Social Services, Australian Government. Retrieved March 7, 2017, from https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/overview/what-we-do Ghumman, S., Ryan, A. M. (2013). Not welcome here: Discrimination towards women who wear the Muslim headscarf. Human Relations, 66(5), 671-698. doi:10.1177/0018726712469540 Graham, J. R., Bradshaw, C., Trew, J. L. (2009). Adapting Social Work in Working with Muslim Clients. Social Work Education, 28(5), 544-561. doi:10.1080/02615470802400729 Hosken, N. (2013). Social work supervision and discrimination. Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education, 15(1), 92-104. Retrieved from http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=479428906488362;res=IELHSS Hyder, N., Parrington, C. A., Hussain, P. (2015). Experiences of Hijabi Women: Finding a Way Through the Looking Glass for Muslim Americans. Advancing Women in Leadership, 35, 172-177. Retrieved from http://advancingwomen.com/awl/awl_wordpress/ Matsuoka, A. K., Thompson, A. (2009). Combating Stigma and Discrimination Among Social Work Students. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 28(2), 95-98. doi:10.7870/cjcmh-2009-0025 Ressler, L. E., Hodge, D. R. (2006). Religious Discrimination in Social Work. Journal of Religion Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 24(4), 55-74. doi:10.1300/j377v24n04_05 [MS1]Not too sure if I should us this and dont know what else to use Dr Nawal El Saadawi: Memoirs of a Woman Doctor Dr Nawal El Saadawi: Memoirs of a Woman Doctor Since my childhood, I have always dreamt of producing a film or writing a book about gender inequity in the Middle Eastern society. So that I could be able to accomplish this goal, I have to obtain the adequate experience in order to hold a certificate from one of the prestigious universities in Qatar. As a matter of fact, I have the desire towards achieving my goals and proving my skills but my society, with all its restrictions and limitations, doesnt give me the chance to do so. Because I live in a Qatari society, I have to be committed to certain traditions and customs which dont provide me with the opportunity to become a decent educated woman in a community where men only have the power to dominate. Therefore, when I think about the difference between men and women and why people differentiate and discriminate between people based on their gender, I find myself attracted towards reading books about feminism in order to, at least, feel that other women suffer from what I feel and that they will do whatever it takes to gain their lost rights. Through reading these books, I have the chance to know more about the meaning of feminism as well as figuring out more about women who have experienced conflicts with their families since their childhood only because they were born as girls not boys. Therefore, I encouraged myself to read a book called Memoirs of a woman doctor. This book was written by an Egyptian female writer named Dr. Nawal El Saadawi. In fact, this book had had an impact on my life to the extent that it contributed in changing my thoughts and my ideas as well as my view towards different things. A year ago, I read this book and for the first time I felt like I have the p ower to accomplish my objectives and live a normal equal life like any other man in the whole world. Regarding the book of Memoirs of a woman doctor, it talks about a young girl who used to live in a traditional Egyptian family. Unfortunately, the family of this little young girl undervalued her skills and underestimated her talents because she wasnt a boy. Dr. Nawal wanted to attract my attention and the attention of the rest of readers towards the fact that the point of view of this family towards its daughter reflects the point of view of the whole Egyptian and Arab society towards women in general. Being brought up as a girl in such family, this woman had to face all kinds of discrimination and injustice. In other words, her family used to prefer her brother over her despite the fact that she was an amazing student at school and she was more intelligent than him. This definitely has led to many bad effects on her view towards herself. She started to feel that she was born with a disability and that there was something wrong about her. She began to hate herself, her body and ever ything that used to surround womens life. However, she didnt surrender to this cruel reality. Luckily, her family allowed her to continue her studies and she managed to enroll in one of the universities in the faculty of Medicine. After graduation, she turned to become an excellent doctor. Being a doctor provided this woman with the opportunity to start loving herself again. She felt that she had achieved one of her goals and that pushed her forward towards accomplishing more and more in her life. In addition, she started to figure out that discrimination and inequality between men and women is a result of a complicated backward point of view of a society towards women. Moreover, she began to know the fact that other women can do whatever they need if they had the desire and the inner power. Women also have all the chances to accomplish their dreams if they only tried to do so. Thats why the main character in that book believed in biological science as a field of study since studying medicine allowed her to have faith in justice and in breaking all the complicated rules she was forced to follow. On the other side, this book allowed me to believe in myself and my abilities. In other words, I started becoming more self-confidence in addition to being willing to overcome my fears. I also began to become more patient as I learned that life cant be easy all the time and that I had to try harder in order to succeed. Moreover, I have figured out that only successful people have the chance to enjoy their lives since they have faith in their skills and they never give up no matter what they face. Besides, I began to love myself more and accept the fact that I was born as woman for a certain reason as God never creates something by coincidence. Because I read this book when I had to deal with a lot of issues, it was and is still considered as a source of energy as it provided me with the needed positivity to accomplish what I had planned. As a matter of fact, when I figured out that this woman in the book of Dr. Nawal had to suffer because of complicated thoughts, I felt that she represents me and a lot of million women all over the world who have to face many problems to gain their rights. Moreover, this book let me know more about a lot of topics about which I didnt have a background. For example, I began to have ideas about different things like marriage, loyalty, human body, beauty and creativity. I also learned that I work not only to gain money but also to help people get the needed medications so that they could have healthier bodies. On the other hand, my creativity began to increase and I started to use my imagination to solve problems. Moreover, I learned that we all are humans and that we werent born as angels. T herefore, we commit mistakes and thats why we need to forgive each other. Since reading is one of the great pleasures in this world, I enjoyed reading Memoirs of a woman doctor. This book widened my thoughts about feminism and also enlightened my vision. As a matter of fact, I began to learn that feminism doesnt refer to makeup or high heels or having a great body. Instead, it indicates intelligence, beauty of the soul and having a smart brain. In other words, many people believe that feminism is a concept that involves being a lady in shape which is totally wrong. On the contrary, feminism is a term that indicates being a lady by being educated and sophisticated. Thats why I believe the Qatari society and the entire Arab society must change their point of view towards women. Therefore, instead of looking at their clothes or their bodies, they need to look through their minds. Like many families in Egypt, Qatari families adopt following the customs and traditions of the Arab society. These traditions are indicated in the fact that young girls must wear veil when they are not in their homes. Being an Arab woman living in Qatar, I was obliged to cover my head wherever I go. Furthermore, some Qatari families force their young daughters to quit school and get married to older men because they believe that women were created to achieve that purpose. Thats why I felt that this book has touched something in my heart and also because I had to experience what the writer had had to go through. Conclusion The book of Dr Nawal El Saadawi called Memoirs of a woman doctor provided me with a lot of information and thats why I began to change my thoughts and my views towards myself and the entire society. Therefore, I believe Arab societies especially the Qatari one have to change the way they view women. They also must encourage other organizations in order to offer women opportunities to improve their skills. Furthermore, women must not give up and form peaceful marches to defend their lives and their rights. By following these steps, women will be able to have equal life just as men and I will have the chance to accomplished all my plans and goals. I will also never regret because I was born as a woman. Instead, I will be proud of my femininity.