Amy Koopmanschap: “We should help migrant Muslim women to foster their dual cultural identity”

Amy Koopmanschap (Netherlands, SOC), who is very committed to integrating migrants at local level, described to the Congress the specific problems involved in integrating Muslim women into European towns and cities. They had for many years been “invisible” in Europe and it was now necessary to help them express their dual Muslim and European culture.

Interview – 07.12.2010

Question: You are working with the Congress on the integration of migrants at local level and have chosen to focus your report on Muslim women.  How do their problems differ from those of other migrants in general?

Amy Koopmanschap: Muslim women face a combination of problems with which other migrants are less frequently confronted and they are much more isolated. In addition to the problems of language and of finding jobs, with which many migrants have to deal, Muslim women often do not leave their homes because their families want to protect them from the outside world, which is considered hostile. They have nowhere they can meet and very few of them have any social activities or take part in any sports, whereas they would often like to do so.

Question: What can local authorities do to change the situation and what action has been taken in the city of Diemen, where you are the mayor?

Amy Koopmanschap: We need to inform Muslim women that they can attend language classes and take part in activities outside the home. We have provided them with places where they can meet. We have also offered those who attend language classes the possibility of leaving their children in a day nursery, and that is very important for them. Muslim women must be able to decide for themselves what they want to do and about their future. We also help them enter the labour market. Contrary to common belief, most of them want to have a job outside the home.

Question: In your report, you place a lot of emphasis on the role of the media and media stereotyping: what can be done to change this perception of Muslim women?

Amy Koopmanschap: The media all portray Muslim women in the same way, whereas they are very different and many of them have had a good education and have a profession. The media focuses too much on the issue of the Islamic headscarf, which should not be seen as an obstacle to integration but simply as the personal decision of those who wear it. There has been little discussion on the problems of Muslim women until recently for they have for many years been “invisible” in Europe. Now, on the contrary, they should be given the opportunity to speak out and to express their dual Muslim and European culture. Giving them this opportunity will prevent them from becoming isolated and living only among their own community.