Utrecht city councillor Marka Spit says she is going to ignore Dutch Integration Minister Eberhard van der Laan's plan to abolish segregated integration courses as of January 2009. Various Dutch media report that the two politicians, both members of the Labour Party (PvdA), disagree on whether segregated integration classes benefit or undermine the emancipation of Muslim women in the Netherlands.

Dutch law requires nearly all newcomers to the country, other than European immigrants, to take a combined Dutch language and integration course, either inside or outside the Netherlands. The requirement, however, also applies to immigrants who have already been living in the country for some time.

The idea behind offering separate courses for men and women is to attract Muslim women who would otherwise not - be allowed to – attend because of their faith. Marka Spit says women should, at the very least, be offered the option of following the course in a single-sex setting.

Only a third of all immigrants living in the central city of Utrecht are required to follow the course. Out of a total of 100 classes currently offered in the municipality, 15 are segregated: 12 for women only; three for men.

Mr van der Laan announced his plan to end segregated courses after reproaches from the Dutch parliament’s Lower House about the practice being in conflict with the basic principle that men and women are equal.

Intolerance
Integration is a sensitive issue in the Netherlands, especially since the country’s famed ‘tolerance’ appears to have declined in recent years, as evidenced by the growing popularity of Geert Wilders' anti-Islamic Freedom Party (PVV).
 
Marka Spit told Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant that the government restriction on single-sex classes obstructs emancipation.
 
"Our policy is to make as many people as possible acquainted with Dutch language and culture. Every new obstacle decreases the turnout. It would be a pity if  certain groups were to stay away. The aim of the programme is to have people participate. That is also possible in a separate women's class. Such a group could actually promote emancipation."

Ms Spit is bothered by the minister's suggestion that offering separate courses is associated with dependency and oppression. "Some women feel more comfortable asking questions in separate classes. It doesn't mean that they will separate themselves from men entirely."

Earlier, a ministerial investigation into the matter showed that 85 percent of Dutch municipalities agree with Mr van der Laan. Utrecht councillor Marka Spit,  however, will not be complying with the policy.

(lead photo by FaceMePLS on Flickr)