Refugee women and La Republique: Participation in the French public sphere

This article examines Somali refugee women's participation in the French public sphere. Drawing on interviews, focus groups and participant observation with Somali refugee women and local actors, the article argues that representations of 'Muslim women's needs' in French debates over the headscarf do not correspond to Somali women's definitions of their needs and priorities. A 'logic of separation' is at work through which a hierarchy of needs is imposed with Islam as the focal point. Claims based on interconnected need definitions cannot be voiced, or only with great difficulty. The ability to contest dominant norms and practices, an important feature of citizenship and democratic participation, is therefore restricted.