What I'm saying, Helen, is that any woman for whom compulsion to wear the hijab is an issue probably has bigger problems, whether within her family or community.

Fixating on the hijab and speaking of it as "a symbol of oppression" (a) alienates those women (the majority) who do choose it out of genuine religious conviction, (b) turns it into a political symbol for many others, and (c) isn't going to really help the women who are compelled to wear it.

Other things are far more important; focusing on this so-called "symbol" does a disservice to the women who are facing the greatest obstacles.