Islamic Dress in Schools

Whatever the rights or wrongs of this case, I find the whole thing very sad.

I have no religion at all, but saying that I do believe in many things, one of which is equality of races and sexes.

It saddens me to see women oppressed. This is partly for economic reasons, as if we are all to have a good standard of living, then we must all maximise our earning (or caring) capacity. To walk through certain places, where women are heavily veiled and must be behind their husbands disgusts me.

It's nothing to do with religion, but all to do with the oppression of women.

So why should a girl want to suppress her feelings and personality under a shroud?