Netherlands: Dutch-Muslim Women

From BBC News:

At a time when the headscarf is a hot issue in Europe, it comes as something of a shock to meet Fatima Elatik.

This feisty 36-year-old - who combines her headscarf with bright red lipstick - is mayor of Zeeburg, a large multicultural district of Amsterdam.

She is the first Dutch-Moroccan woman to become a district mayor - quite an achievement for a woman whose mother arrived in the Netherlands 40 years ago, unable to read or write.

Someone who has to deal with the social problems of male-dominated families is Samira Bouchibti - one of four Dutch-Moroccan members of parliament and Labour Party spokeswoman on youth and family issues.

She is concerned about forced marriage, which still occurs despite efforts to outlaw it.