Women have right to choose dress code

In response to a question from an Emirati female student about certain European countries banning Muslim women from wearing veils, the former US first lady said the dress code cannot be imposed on women.

“I’m in favour of women having the right to choose what they want to wear. I’m against women being forced to choose a particular code of dress,” she said. “I believe strongly that each woman should have the opportunity to choose (what they wear),” said Clinton. Referring to women’s welfare in the region, particularly in UAE and other GCC states, the US State Secretary said there was a big shift towards women’s welfare development that, to some extent, has exceeded the developed world.

“There has been a tremendous change and progress in the entire region as a whole towards women’s development – whether government position or business and diplomatic career,” she told the girl students during an interview with MBC1’s Kalam Nawaem (Sweet or Soft Talk) show at Zayed University on Monday. The special episode of the show will air on MBC1 on January 16 at 8pm GMT, 11pm KSA, and 12am UAE time.

Opening the floor for female students of Zayed University and other guests, including male students of local institutions and local media, for questions, Clinton said she stood for the women’s voices. She said she supports and promotes women’s rights in the world, particularly in the Muslim world for which there was a wrong impression of women’s rights. “Women’s voices should be heard and should be respected,” she said.

The State Secretary said she believed women are far advanced in the Muslim world, particularly in the GCC region. “We have seen more women involved in local politics, elected to parliaments and I have seen many of them as diplomats and ambassadors to the US from the region, particularly from Bahrain and Oman,” she added.

Clinton said today’s women do not just sit at homes. “They are multi-taskers and have great influence in changing a society as a mother, sister and wife.”

The interview conducted by three anchors — Fauzia Ibrahim, Heba Jamal and Rania Berghof — went on for an hour with former US First Lady opening the floor for female students from the University. The floor was opened in a friendly and light manner.

“Please don’t be shy. Please ask as many questions as you want,” she told the students. The interview, among others, was attended by Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

• UAE
• Dubai