Full face covering is probably common only in Saudi Arabia (been there, seen that). As for being taken seriously, how many innocent people do you think have been executed in the US, in hte last 20 years? They usually tend to be black and poor. Because their court appointed defenders are not interested in their defense. And their prosecutor knows a successful conviction helps his political career.

Women are not equal anywhere, except perhaps Scandinavia. A woman cannot become the President of the USA, even though they form 51 percent of the population. The same is true of Canada. 

25 percent of the children in Canada and 42 percent in the US are born to single mothers. That is the worst thing a man can do to a woman - impregnate her and leave. A lack of free daycare ensures that these women don't progress in their careers. 

So instead of all this pain about Muslim women, perhaps it is time to focus on the status of women here.