Criticism Mounts Over EU Institutions’ Portrayal of Young Girls Wearing Headscarves
EU Parliament member Monika Hohlmeier (CSU) has expressed regret over the publication of images of young girls wearing headscarves in materials by European Union institutions. “I feel the publications are unfortunate” Hohlmeier told the Welt am Sonntag. The Commission should avoid using “problematic symbols in their public materials that are more likely to be associated with religious fundamentalist suppression of women and girls.”
The criticism follows the European Asylum Agency (EUAA) publishing a brochure on a “Community Sponsorship for Refugees” in January, featuring a child wearing a headscarf. Prior to this, several other EU institutions had published images of children with headscarves without any context or criticism. The European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships, Erasmus+ and the European Prize for Innovative Teaching were among the institutions that had used such images.
As the vice-chair of the EU Parliament’s Budget Committee, Hohlmeier emphasized that she believes the Commission did not have malicious intentions and is not promoting the wearing of headscarves by children. However, she urged the Commission to use neutral images, even if they are illustrations, to avoid perpetuating stereotypes.
A Commission spokesperson countered that the institution promotes inclusion and diversity in line with EU treaties and does not promote any form of religious clothing. Women and girls should be free to decide what they wear or do not wear, as long as the principles of non-discrimination and the free exercise of religion are respected.