WATCH ABOVE: As a pro-charter alliance throws its support behind Quebec secularism, some argue there isn’t much in the Charter that actually empowers women. Rachel Lau has more.
MONTREAL – Two days ago, pro-charter groups marched through the streets of Montreal chanting for neutrality between the state and religion.
Now supporters have decided to take the offensive.
They’ve created a coalition called the Alliance for Secularism, bringing 16 groups across Quebec to support the controversial Charter – all in the name of equality and human rights.
READ MORE: Coming together for a secular Quebec
The group spoke on Tuesday about its support for the Charter – in particular when it comes to equality between men and women.
“The reality here is that we are a welcoming, democratic free society and no one can argue that it is not the case,” said Michel Lincourt, a spokesperson for the Alliance.
Yet, when it comes to men and women, a national charity dedicated to empowering girls and young women, believes that equality needs to be much more than what women put on our heads.
“Girls and boys, men and women should have the same kind of opportunities,” said Saman Ahsan, Executive Director of Girls Action Foundation .
“If you’re restricted in the opportunities that you have in the way you’re dressed or by your belief, it’s actually creating less opportunities and promoting inequality.”
But teacher Leila Bensalem said she knows more than others about the oppression of religion.
That’s why she supports the Charter.
Originally from Algeria, she noted that some young girls who wear the veil only do so because they are told to.
“It’s like the flag they want their women to wear and they represent fundamentalism,” said Bensalem.
“It’s nothing else. Even if they say, here they keep saying ‘It’s my choice’ and whatever, they forget to say that this is the only choice they have.”
Martine Desjardins, a student leader during last year’s protests, has also thrown her support behind the Charter.
She said that being able to talk about the issues raised in the Charter reduces victimization.
“They should be glad that they can contribute to this debate and discussion,” she said.
“Somewhere around the world, they’re not able to discuss the law in their country.”
Nevertheless, Ahsan argued that there isn’t much in the Charter that actually empowers women.
“The government is acting like a big brother and enforcing another way of dressing,” she said.
“It’s not liberating. We pretend we are liberating them but what is it that they want? Rather we should turn back the question to them and let them decide what they want to and how they want to dress.”
The Alliance for Secularism noted that there is a thin line between religion, history and culture, and they said it is up to the government to guide Quebecers towards neutrality.
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