Contributed by the REDI team in collaboration with Dr. Neila Miled, DEI Manager, PHSA
February 1st marks World Hijab Day, which serves as an opportunity to foster understanding, promote reflection, and celebrate the differentiated experiences of women who choose to wear the hijab. World Hijab Day prompts us to reflect on the challenges visibly Muslim women encounter and work towards creating environments that embrace diversity, eliminate bias, and foster equal opportunities for all. Being visibly Muslim in Canada, by choosing to wear the Hijab, can increase Muslim women’s “vulnerability to hate crimes, discrimination, and employment obstacles” (The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights, 2023, pp.15-16).
The “hijab” or the “veil” is a symbol of modesty, religious and cultural identity, and personal choice for millions of Muslim women around the world, including Canada. The Muslim veil has been central in the construction of Muslims and central to the heated debate around women’s rights and women’s agency. There is a dominant perception that has framed the hijab as a sign of oppression and confined visibly Muslim women into a homogenous portrayal as oppressed, submissive, powerless, and unable to belong to the Canadian context. This bias is common and has impacted veiled women in medical and health care contexts.
Despite its deeply personal nature, healthcare professionals who choose to wear hijab can face unique challenges that extend beyond the professional sphere, affecting patient-doctor relationships and the learning experiences of future healthcare providers. According to Khan et al. (2022) in their CMAJ commentary titled “Dismantling Gendered Islamophobia in Medicine”:
Visibly identifiable Muslim women in health care are often seen only in the light of a monolithic religious identity, while their intersectional identities — including their unique religious, ethnic and racial identities — are dismissed or erased… Discrimination also reduces the likelihood of job satisfaction, leading to providers who wear the hijab leaving their chosen field or not pursuing a career in medicine at all.9 (p. E748)
Some of the challenges faced by Muslim health professionals wearing the hijab can include:
1. Microaggressions and Stereotyping: Muslim health care providers who wear the hijab may encounter microaggressions and stereotyping, perpetuating harmful assumptions about their abilities, qualifications, and dedication to their profession.
2. Limited Professional Opportunities and Exclusion: Some Muslim doctors may face challenges in career advancement, promotions, or job opportunities due to bias related to their religious attire.
3. Patient Misunderstanding: Patients may harbor misconceptions or biases about doctors who wear hijab, impacting the doctor-patient relationship and hindering effective communication.
On February 1st, we hope you will take a moment to reflect on the challenges women encounter in healthcare settings and consider the role you can play in creating environments that embrace diversity. Your continued efforts to establish inclusive and respectful atmospheres can support individuals of different faiths and cultural backgrounds in bringing their authentic selves to the learning and work environments.
References
Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights. (2023). Islamophobia and its impact on Canadians in Canada.
Khan, S., Eldoma, M., Malick, A., Najeeb, U., & Furqan, Z. (2022). Dismantling gendered Islamophobia in medicine. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 194(21), E748-E750. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.220445
Patrick, K. (2021). Apology from CMAJ’s interim editor-in-chief on behalf of the CMAJ. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 193(51), E1935. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.81033
Learn More
Dismantling gendered Islamophobia in medicine
Letter to the UBC Community: Islamophobia, racism, hate, and discrimination are not tolerated here