1. By Erin Gunn

2. Background information  This term refers to freedoms and entitlements for women.  In the middle ages Islamic women’s rights were improved during the early reforms of under Islam. They were given greater rights in marriage, divorce and inheritance. This did not happen in the West for another few centuries.  The Dowry was no longer a bride-price paid to the father but a nuptial gift that was apart of the wife’s personal property.

3. First women’s scientific society  The first scientific society for women was found in Holland in 1785.  It was called the Women’s Society for Natural Knowledge.  It was dissolved in 1887.

4. Women’s suffrage  The 1800s saw the beginning of Women’s suffrage. This meant women would have the right to vote.  Women’s suffrage is considered a right under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.  However in a few countries (especially in Middle East) women are still denied the right to vote.

5. Women’s suffrage in America  In America women didn’t gain national women suffrage until 1920.  Before this only some states had complete women’s suffrage.  In 1920 the nineteenth amendment was added to the Constitution. This amendment was for women’s rights.

6. U.N  In 1946 the United Nations established a Commission on the Status of Women.  This included conferences about women’s issues and rights around the world.

7. Veil Controversy in France  The veil controversy in France was a set of events that took place over the period of ten years. During this period there was a lot of public controversy of whether or not Muslim girls and women had the right to wear the hijab in public institutions.  The main impact was in public schools, since that is were the event started.

8. Veil controversy continued...  In October 1989 three student in a public school in Creil, France refused to take of their hijab.  This incident is what sparked of the controversy.  Between 1994 and 2003 almost 100 female student were suspended or expelled for wearing hijab.  However nearly half these cases were annulled by the French courts.

9. Debated point  The point that was debated during this time was:  Do Muslim women have the right to wear the hijab in public establishments?  This contributed to a discussion on secularism.  Secularism is the separation of church and state. Its what the French government is based on.

10. The ‘veil law’  The hijab is seen an ‘ostentatious’ religious symbol rather than a ‘discrete’ one.  In December 2003 the French President decided that a law should explicitly forbid any signs of religious affiliation.  In March 2004 ‘the veil law’ was voted in by the French Parliament.  This law forbids wearing any ostensible religious articles. (This includes the hijab among other things)

11. Pictures

12. Bibliography  "August 26, 1920 - Women's Suffrage Victory - Nineteenth Amendment Becomes Law." Women's History - Comprehensive Women's History Research Guide. 4 June 2009.  "The Veil Controversy." The Weekly Standard. 7 June 2009.  "Women’s Rights — Global Issues." Global Issues : social, political, economic and environmental issues that affect us all — Global Issues. 2 June 2009.  "Women's Rights Movement in the U.S.: Timeline of Events (1848-1920) — Infoplease.com." Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. — Infoplease.com. 4 June 2009.