Actually it is the father's decision on who wears what.

And yes it is a strange form of birth control and terribly empowering to women.

What's that he just said Muslim women empowered? Yes. Think about it. The men find them so beautiful that they do not trust themselves with them. Women must have escorts, must be covered in conservative parts, must be made to look as unattractive as possible. If that is not power I do not know what is. Also remember that the house is the woman's place. She rules that place. The man has no power to tell her what to do in that house, especially the kitchen.

My wife is half Turkish. She went to visit her uncle a few years ago. He was strict, but no conservative. He required her to wear a Hajab whenever she went out, she required that she be escorted by her female cousin or he very large male cousin. She was not allowed out of the house alone.

It is a strange culture to be sure, but remember that we went through the same growing pain. Think about swimsuits. They have gone from full body suits to Brazilian String. Victorian Dress to the dress that we have today. Good lord short skirts just came into fashion some 50 years ago.