Muslim Women: Denise Filiatrault

Denise Filiatrault: Bertrand, at 88 years old, and another member of the group Denise Filiatrault, at 82, are influential public personalities viewed as pioneers of Quebec feminism. An open letter published by the group in mid-October called on Quebecers to defend against the resurgence of religion as a threat to gender equality. The group sees allowing public servants to wear religious symbols as turning back the clock on gender progress and threatening the provinces return to the control of men and the church. They have galvanized fresh support for the charter with thousands attending a Janettes rally in Montreal last Saturday, and collecting over 39,000 signatures for a petition in favour of the charter online, according to The Star. Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab are also objects of derision. Filiatrault, on air earlier this month, called Muslim women who say the hijab is their choice crazy and clowns, insisting they have no choice and are forced into wearing the hijab by their families though she later apologized for some of her comments . Bertrand compares women choosing to wear the hijab with herself as a young girl, attending church because she was indoctrinated and too simple to know any better and Women who say they wear the hijab voluntarily are lying, according to Quebecs latest pro-charter of values feminist movement. The Janettes, named for founder Janette Bertrand, are a group of 21 prominent Quebec women in support of the Quebec values charter who see religious women as na ve at best and totally dominated at worst. Of all the ostentatious religious symbols however, it is the hijab that raises the most ire among Janettes. Though hundreds of women have now taken to the streets and spoken out saying they choose the hijab voluntarily, as an act of faith and part of their identities, the Janettes refuse to acknowledge this view altogether saying they simply dont believe them. Contrary to feminist movements that seek to empower womens voices, the Janettes have made every effort to silence the women at the centre of their so-called emancipation project. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.