94% of Muslim Women in Quebec Study Say Sense of Belonging Declined Due to Secularism Law

94% of Muslim Women in Quebec Study Say Sense of Belonging Declined Due to Secularism Law
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A survey by the Canadian Muslim Forum (FMC-CMF) has found that many Muslim women who participated in the study reported social, psychological, and professional impacts linked to Quebec’s secularism legislation, with 94% saying their sense of belonging as citizens had declined and 78% saying they had considered leaving the province.

The survey included 69 participants, including 65 women, with the detailed analysis focusing on women’s responses. Most participants were between 25 and 55 years old, with a significant number working in the education sector.

According to the findings, 83% of respondents said they felt excluded, 70% expressed concerns about the future, 68% reported stress or anxiety, and 55% said they experienced a loss of dignity. Additionally, 97% said they believed the legislation did not respect women’s rights, while the same percentage said religious freedom had declined. Nearly all participants, 99%, considered the law’s implementation unfair.

The survey also highlighted professional concerns, with 72.4% of respondents saying their employment situation had been affected by the legislation. Among them, 54% reported difficulties finding work, while 39% of all participants said they had considered changing their career path.

Regarding support from labor unions, only 29.4% of union members said they had received assistance, while 42.9% said they had obtained information about their rights.

The survey organizers noted that participation was voluntary and focused on individuals who considered themselves affected by the law.