A lot of people don’t see that catholic religion is almost as misogynist as Islam.In past when christians followed the bible uncondicionally women had no rights and they were not persons but things.Today hate towards women that comes from chatolic church is more subtle but still present.They are promoting patriarchic societiy and nicley telling us that women are just baby making machines.It’s even worse in the bible.God itself is defined as a male while the woman is the source of all evil.i’m not trying to insult anybodys religion but the girl in the movie has a point when she says that it’s not only hers religion that discriminates.And chatolics consider them self all high and mighty when it comes to comparing.Some muslim women cover their face willingly because that is the symbol of their faith for them like the crucifix is a symbol of faith to christians

Very well done documentary- would have liked to see maybe a few other girls opinions done in depth, but maybe indigant Algerian young women such as Chahinaz are harder to come by and don’t come forth with all that they are thinking like us Americans.  You can’t find hardly an American girl or boy for that matter, who isn’t blogging, myspace/facebook/twittering..sometimes about religion but usually about nothing important to anyone but ourselves Maybe if all Algerians had an online network, it would start the change in society mentality she is talking about , because I agree that WOULD need to change before she can fully be independent and not restrained by others narrow mindedness about gender equality.  All the women I seen are very well-spoken and seem very intelligent and I see no reason why they should not be granted every freedom! Best of luck to you Chahinaz- hope you are well since this has filmed .

It’s unfortunate most people don’t question things in society but just go along with traditions. Saying things like, it is written, it is God’s law, women and men have separate roles and stating that is just plain silly. What if women ran the world and you say God told men has to wear their underwear on their heads. Would their be a rebellion? Heck yea, we men don’t want to be told what to do! Women better stand up and not wait for men to slowly change their minds.

It’s amazing the UN charter can successfully fight for religious rights but fail in individual rights.

Chahinaz did a fabulous job of researching cultures and activists to help her own overcome silly dress codes and unfair oppression. All these cultures in which women live in duress and judgement seed from a perspective that God is in favor of dichotomous codes for males and females, although the men promoting these religous tenets cannot logically prove this is the word of the Lord. There is no way a creator would have women wear unnatural costumes blocking their faces from the very sun in the sky needed for skin health because it contraindicates what the creation needs. Did God create faces of women and tell them to cover them? Each religious code claims there’s is the word from God. There are thousands of sects of religion, everyone all thinking they are correct having many diverse viewpoints.

It is not incorrect to challenge what is from God versus what is NOT. What they fight her about is belief she is challenging some ordinances about treatment and dress of women as if she is dissenting against some order of the Lord, but it cannot be rationally proved that she is actually rebelling against customs of God. In both the Quran and the Bible, Adam and Eve were naked, and the Lord was angry that they were ashamed and covered themselves.
How did it go from the Garden of Eden to requirements to dress heavily? The story of Adam and Eve says the Snake started all the problems..hmmm!

Although i was not able to view this video i will still make a contribution based on some of the comments that ive seen.
The west has adopted and propogated a very negative perspective on the head covering of muslim women.  They, through many influences cause people to believe that a woman who covers her head is a woman that is being opressed, controlled and who has no rights.  Whereas, the promotion of women being naked or just about naked has been encouraged and where those women are looked upon as “Free” and independant women who have been supposedly empowered with the right to do what they want.  A woman who choses to cover her body is a free woman who choses to live her life that way.  If she did not want to then she could simply do as she pleases. 
In some muslim countries wear a head scarf is mandatory for all women to wear, this is definitely a form of control and perhaps even oppression, especially if its against the will of a woman.  This however, is totally contrary to religious belief because it is wrong to impose or mandate one’s own religious customs and beliefs onto another against their will.

Islam provides for the man more inheritance then the woman since the woman will share in her husband’s inheritance if she is married.  If she is not, her full care is provided by her father, depending on income, her life under her father’s care could be lavish or simple. The man on the other hand is the responsible party for his wife, children, his parents in their old age and shares in caring for the unmarried sister(s). The son however does not have the father to care for him if not married unless he is disabled or still in school though in most Muslim countries the families help each other unlike here in the states where everyone fends for themselves.

As with any society, people are people, some are happy/peaceful and comfortable in their marriages, their homes and in life overall.  Some are not, it doesn’t matter which society one inhibits. 

One important point, it is a human right, a child’s right to have an educated mother, not necessarily formally educated but certainly a mother who is caring, loving and so on in the home to receive her children upon arrival from school.  One who will feed them, help them with their school work and maintain the home.  A nanny can perform these duties but it’s not the same!

Unfortunately, in the evolved society of the USA since women’s rights have been won we’ve seen a decline in the the number of households with stay at home moms and more children (termed in the 1980’s as) “latchkey” kids.  Since the children are our future, it is important in any society to have a strong family framework to solidify our children’s foundation.  We’ve seen in the states the result of working parents and for that matter grandparents; it’s not always good in the long run since peoples desire to earn money for the “things” they can purchase can overrule the more basic tenets of the factors that make a society healthy.

For Chahinaz and others who call upon societies to implement equal rights because they want the right to choose their life style that’s all well and good as long as the culture maintains a place for women to be caretakers and caregivers of their homes if they so choose, that’s also a woman’s right.

I wish Chahinaz all the best! Same with all oppressed women… but I’m inclined to believe that we’re all oppressed… even in the freest of countries. I know I’ve been shunned for saying I’m a Christian. Sadly, oppression in all of its terrible colors happens around the world in many ways. But it’s important that we stand up for our beliefs, no matter what they are.

This movie had an interesting premise, and Chahinaz asked interesting questions. Although some commenters thought that the San Francisco girl was not the best representative of the US, I think that (unfortunately) she was. She was from a conservative Christian background, she supported Bush’s policies overall, and she was mostly ignorant of Muslim culture. That does to be the view of most Americans, so even though I disagree with that view I have to say it is an accurate picture of the my country.

What I did not like was the depiction of France. Chahinaz kept exulting over the fact that no one stared at her on the streets of Paris. Well, try wearing a scarf and see what happens! France has many laws and customs that discriminate against people due to gender or religion. If she had tried to wear a head-covering, I think should would have seen that, like other nationalities, the French also believe that they have the right to tell women how they are allowed to look.

I really enjoyed this movie. The oppression of women creates poverty which in turn breeds more oppression. Ireland before the 90’s had never know prosperity, today it’s one of the wealthiest nations in the world. The laws that were changed to uphold women’s rights were a great boost to this prosperity.

I thought Chahinaz asked just about all the right questions, she showed frustration which was rightfully placed and a lot of intelligence, curiosity, and a willingness to understand the world around her. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide.

I wish Chahinaz had the opportunity to talk to an American girl that was a bit less religiously fanatical and better educated than the one she talked to. That was an unfortunate ambassador.

Early in the movie we see Chahinaz saying that women’s rights are not a Western ideal, but later in the movie I think it becomes painfully obvious that it is. When the West turns it’s
back on Western ideals, we suffer tremendously as a society.

I wish Chahinaz and all Algerian women the best of luck in changing this ludicrous ‘Family Law.’ The separation of church (or mosque) and state is the single greatest guarantee that human rights get respected. We should be striving for this worldwide.

I’m happy this young woman had the courage to ask these questions. It’s hysterical how those who claim feminism is an attack on family values use religion to justify treating women as inferior to men. How does her decision to question inequality translate to ruining families and an “assault on men and religion”? How are solely women to be blamed for increasing divorce in America? People just love pointing fingers when they don’t understand an issue, don’t they? I am so glad I live in the USA where (at least) I have some semblance of equal rights and the ability to make decisions about my life as an adult. I can’t imagine having to go to anyone (man or woman) and asking them for permission to use my own hard earned money to buy a home, take out a loan, or any of these other humiliations women have to experience in countries where the law dictates that they aren’t mentally fit to decide for themselves. It’s sad that these horrific laws still oppress women all over the world. And it’s just as shameful that when a woman questions these atrocities, she’s accused of being on a mission to destroy families. RAGE MORE LADIES, IN THE END THE REAL MEN WORTH HAVING, WITH BRAINS AND SPIRIT, VALUE A STRONG WOMAN WITH HER OWN MIND. Only people her are weak in their hearts and afraid of change desire to control and denigrate other human beings.

I’m happy this young woman had the courage to ask these questions. It’s hysterical how those who claim feminism is an attack on family values use religion to justify treating women as inferior to men. How does her decision to question inequality translate to ruining families and an “assault on men and religion”? How are solely women to be blamed for increasing divorce in America? People just love pointing fingers when they don’t understand an issue, don’t they? I am so glad I live in the USA where (at least) I have some semblance of equal rights and the ability to make decisions about my life as an adult. I can’t imagine having to go to anyone (man or woman) and asking them for permission to use my own hard earned money to buy a home, take out a loan, or any of these other humiliations women have to experience in countries where the law dictates that they aren’t mentally fit to decide for themselves. It’s sad that these horrific laws still oppress women all over the world. And it’s just as shameful that when a woman questions these atrocities, she’s accused of being on a mission to destroy families. RAGE MORE LADIES, IN THE END THE REAL MEN WORTH HAVING, WITH BRAINS AND SPIRIT, VALUE A STRONG WOMAN WITH HER OWN MIND. Only people her are weak in their hearts and afraid of change desire to control and denigrate other human beings.

Self actualization is fine....what isn’t is the assault on men and religion.  Sadly feminism seems to require both to sustain itself. As the Nuclear fsmily deteriorates the value of what it is to be human goes with it.  There ARE consequences and I think they are dicovered too late to correct and are far more insidious than many of these folks suspect.  Men are rebelling to this singlemindedness
Beware.

So our feminiusts can spread their malcontent elsewhere?
its been such a huge successs here in the states with divorce in 50% of marriages.  Children fatherless so Divorce lawters can prosper.  And all the time rights erode and power collects on Washington. 

Wake up folks....Feminism is a disaster........

It is ironic that a photo of a beautiful woman from another country would inspire “lust” in the loins of our men here in the western hemisphere. They’ve planted their seeds everywhere they have gone and corrupted the societies they entered as much as possible. I would suggest respectfully to the gentleman who said he would let her hold his remote, that he first learn a little about her religion, beliefs, culture and desires before he let her hold anything, that includes his “remote”. Too often we think everyone should have our same values and the trouble with European societies in general is that they truly don’t respect anyone’s culture, except their own..............

How do I meet a womAn like her, she is stunning, darling and in need of equal rights that she would have in my household. Id let her hold the remote anytime, love at first site!

Great movie.  One of the most interesting documentaries that I’ve come across.  I would to be able to interact with people of other cultures via the internet.  Does anyone know how to do this?

Total nonsense propaganda against muslim societies. Women have more rights in Islamic societies.
Women are exploited and used as commodity in western societies. Rape is thousand times more common in west, wife beating is rampant. West societies are cesspool of dirt and corruption.

Bravo Chahinaz!!!! Nous avons besoin de femmes comme toi et j’espere que beaucoup (femmes et hommes!) ont eu l’occasion de regarder ton film et d’ecouter ton message, qui est pour moi un message d’espoir.. car il faut commencer par se poser des questions et essayer de trouver des reponses et ainsi nous pouvons progresser ou qu’on soit. Merci Chahinaz pour representer si bien la femme Algerienne!

I really love this documentary. And I am impressed by Chahinazâ??s courage and determination to make a difference. Seeing this film made me realize that I am not alone. There are other women who want to change things for women in Algeria and I feel proud. As an Algerian woman how grew up in Algeria and moved to the United States in my teens, I relate with Chahinaz and commend her for her courage to actually do something about this topic. The struggle starts here: by making people aware that there is a situation and that we want to talk and implement solutions. I agree that Religion should not be used to explain cultural behavior (whether it relates to women treatment or terrorist acts). We should not and should not let others clean their bloody knives in Islam (yemmes-hou el mouss fi eddine). And I agree that women all around the world still donâ??t have the same standing as men do. The symbol for oppressed women is not the veiled Arab-Muslim woman. It is every woman that lives in an abusive relationship or has to walk behind her husband or has to give birth and stay home.
Again, I am proud of you Chahinaz! W vive lâ??Agerie