There is so much to learn on a trip to Saudi Arabia and definitely a worthy investment. ", "Meghan Markle's friend 'being waterboarded and given electric shocks in jail, "Meghan Markle's friend tortured in Saudi prison for fighting for women's rights", "Saudi Arabia to notify women of divorce by text message", "Women in Saudi Arabia must now be informed if they've been divorced", "Why we stay mute on Islamic sex apartheid", "The Wahhabi Woman Problem: Why no campaigns against Saudi Arabia's institutionalized sexism? Addressing the issue, Sheikh Ahmad Qassim Al-Ghamdi, chief of the Makkah region's mutaween, claimed that gender segregation has no basis in Sharia, or Islamic law, and has been incorrectly applied in the Saudi judicial system. [205][227], Under Sharia law, generally enforced by the government, the courts will punish a rapist with anything from flogging to execution. "It's an exaggeration to call it a women's movement. In fact if you look at the areas of Saudi Arabia, the desert, and in the rural areas, you will find that women do drive. [250], Arguments in favour of slow change include those of history professor Hatoon al-Fassi. In a 2001 column, Washington Post editor Colbert I. [175] The whipping sentence followed months of protests by female activists[174] and just two days after King Abdullah announced greater political participation for women in the future. "Women ... will be notified of any changes to their marital status via text message. Under Sharia law, women have very few rights regarding public dress. [125], Female literacy is estimated to be 91%, not far behind that of men. [21] In 2018, the percentage of women workforce jumped to 20.2%. Ultimately, I think women are greatly feared. [279], On 29 November 2020, seven European human rights ambassadors criticized Saudi Arabia over the continued detention of at least five women rights activists, including Loujain al-Hathloul. Its interpretation by judges in Saudi Arabia is influenced by the medieval texts of the literalist Hanbali school of Islamic jurisprudence. Women did not gain the right to vote in 2005, but the king supported a woman's right to drive and vote. However, government officials told the United Nations that there is no contradiction with Islam. "We Saudi women are treated like slaves," the … Women are expected to stay in the family area in restaurants while men have their own area. In addition, it has relaxed the previously strict religious laws, making travel to the country an easier affair, especially for women. [54] Many embraced the veil and the male-guardianship system. Until June 2018, women were not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, the only country in the world at the time with such a restriction. Official transactions and grievances initiated by women are often abandoned because officers, or the women themselves, believe they need authorization from the woman's guardian. Saudi Law Granted Women New Freedoms. [237], The case prompted Egyptian-American journalist Mona Eltahawy to comment "What kind of God would punish a woman for rape? Although she did not wear a crop top and short skirt, she was still arrested.[104]. Earlier, she went on a hunger strike in August for six days, demanding a few visits from her parents to see her at the Al-Ha'ir prison. I believe the day will come when women will drive. The ultra conservative kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the most repressive countries in the world and has long been criticised for imposing some of the toughest restrictions on women. [73] The courts recognize obedience to the father as law, even in cases involving adult daughters. [contradictory], Among non-mahram men, women must cover the parts of the body that are awrah (not meant to be exposed). Neither a man nor a woman can marry a non-Saudi citizen without official permission. [57], Saudi women supportive of traditional gender roles (many of them well educated, "sometimes downright aggressive" and including "award-winning scientists, writers and college professors"[54]) have in the past insisted on the position that loosening the ban on women driving and working with men is part of an onslaught of Westernized ideas to weaken Islam and that Saudi Arabia is uniquely in need of conservative values because it is the center of Islam. Women in the kingdom will be able to view documents related to the termination of their marriage contracts through the ministry’s website," the justice ministry said. [192] Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi was the first woman to declared an elected female politician in the country. [166], In early 2010, the government began considering a proposal to create a nationwide women-only bus system. [22] Due to guardianship and divorce laws, many women were not previously aware when their husbands divorced them. The World Economic Forum's 2016 Global Gender Gap Report ranked Saudi Arabia 141 out of 144 countries for gender parity,[4] down from 134 out of 145 in 2015. She became the first female envoy in the history of the kingdom. [105] Other statistical reports quoted by the Al-Riyadh daily newspaper state 14.6% of workers in the public and private sectors of the Kingdom are women. Traditionally, women have been excluded from studying engineering, pharmacy, architecture, and law. [173] In contrast to this punishment, Maha al-Qatani, the first woman in Saudi Arabia to receive a traffic ticket, was only fined for a traffic violation. [150] However, out of necessity, most women leave the house alone and often have contact with unrelated men to shop or conduct business. Al-Fassi says recent campaigns for women's rights have opened up public discourse on topics such as child marriage and rape. [131], Child marriage hinders the cause of women's education, because traditional responsibilities and child-bearing are too burdensome. The country doesn’t allow women to read magazines with uncensored content in public. [205][220][221][222] Some organizations are skeptical about whether or not official statistics can be trusted, because of the government's censorship of sensitive information and restrictions on independent aid organizations. For instance, all skin, except for the hands and face, must be concealed while in public. Women in Saudi Arabia are labeled as an inferior gender in their culture due to strict regulations in female dress. [214] Five years later, in 2013, Saudi Arabia launched its first major effort against domestic violence, the "No More Abuse" ad campaign. The rights group in their statement urged ASO to use their decision to denounce persecution of women rights in the nation. Employment for women has a number of restrictions under Saudi law and culture. The flogging was postponed until after the delivery. [33], In 2008, Rowdha Yousef and other Saudi women launched a petition "My Guardian Knows What's Best for Me," which gathered over 5,000 signatures. Al-Huwaider's all-or-nothing position undercuts her credibility. [6][7] Women in Saudi Arabia constituted 13% of the country's native workforce as of 2015. Fundamentalists demanded strict punishment of the women who had driven in protest, and denounced activists as "whores." Women cannot confer citizenship to children born to a non-Saudi Arabian father. Officially, it maintains that international agreements are applied in the courts. But authorities released al-Otaibi after her 104-day incarceration without her father's approval, making her the first Saudi woman to be released from jail without male approval. [159], The UN Human Rights Office said, "The decision to allow women in Saudi Arabia to drive is a first major step towards women's autonomy and independence, but much remains to be done to deliver gender equality in the Kingdom. All positions and jobs are reserved for you. [110][113] Women responded by boycotting lingerie shops, and in June 2011 King Abdullah issued another decree giving lingerie shops one year to replace men workers with women. [90] Namus can be associated with honor killing. Most of the time, we are walking in place. In Jeddah, for example, many women go out with their faces uncovered; Riyadh however, is more conservative. It is technically forbidden, but unenforced, for women to take taxis or hire private drivers, as it results in khalwa (illegal mixing with a non-mahram man). [280], Gender representation on corporate boards of directors, Science, technology, engineering and mathematics, Film directors, cinematographers and screenwriters, Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen, (Makkah Al Mukarramah),1998, 2/981, Colbert I. Where is any woman going to find six men to go with her to the court?! Shareefa was married to an 80-year-old man when she was 10. [38] At least according to some (Library of Congress) customs of the Arabian peninsula also play a part in women's place in Saudi society. [33], Some of the female advisors appointed around 2009–2010 to parliament (shurah) stated that slow reform is effective. Enforcement of the kingdom's strict moral code, including hijab and separation of the sexes, is often handled by the Mutaween (also Hai'a) – a special committee of Saudi men sometimes called "religious police." [80], In 2019, Saudi Arabia has taken new measures that allow women to travel abroad without taking their guardians’ permissions. Some examples of the importance of permission are: A situation where a male guardian (wali) is thought to have abused his power to approve his daughter's marriage for personal gain is a 2008 case were a father married off his eight-year-old daughter to a 47-year-old man to have his debts forgiven. Conservatives called for the government to ban Facebook, because it incites lust and causes social strife by encouraging gender mingling. The policy also specifies "women's right to obtain suitable education on equal footing with men in light of Islamic laws. A member of the royal family, she argues that Islam sees women's rights as equal but different, which "Together, add up to a secure society that works." [133] Some fields, such as law and pharmacy, are beginning to open up for women. Ministry of Labor & Social Development in Saudi Arabia have come up with new rules for working women in Saudi Arabia. [34][47] The subsequent September 11 attacks against the World Trade Center in 2001, on the other hand, are often viewed as precipitating cultural change away from strict fundamentalism. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has lifted its driving ban on women and made other strides toward granting women equal rights. [45], In 2013 Saudi Arabia registered its first female trainee lawyer, Arwa al-Hujaili,[120] who is also the first Saudi woman to attain an aircraft dispatcher license. While it is not against the law for women to drive in Saudi Arabia, conservative religious edicts have banned it and authorities do not issue women with licences. Who decides what is licit in Islam? [207] Polyandry is forbidden. Ownership of the woman is passed from the father or the brother to another man, the husband. Buildings and public transportation have two entrances, each for one gender. [48][49][50] Activists, such as Wajeha al-Huwaider, compare the condition of Saudi women to slavery. EW recommends that women wear respectable clothing under their abaya in the form of a long loose-fitting skirt or trousers and a top that covers the shoulders and midriff. [29], In 2019, the government of Saudi Arabia stated that women can start working for higher officer ranks in the military. With the new regulation, the women would receive a text message from the court when they get divorced. In 2013, the Ministry and the Hai'a leadership met to negotiate new terms. "[241] The government responded with stricter interpretations and enforcement of Islamic laws. Saudi Arabia has very strict laws for women. [231] The Ministry of Justice defended the sentence, saying she committed adultery and "provoked the attack" because she was "indecently dressed. [8][9] In 2019, 34.4% of the native workforce of Saudi Arabia were women.[10]. [248] The same year, Saudi women were first allowed to ride bicycles, although only around parks and other "recreational areas. The rights organization cited that women complained that any attempt to flee abuse was not possible and that they can still be arrested and forcibly returned to family members. The few female government officials have had minimal power. The authorities have since last year allowed their women to travel abroad without a guardian as well as participate in sports activities. [184], To support working women, the Saudi government has launched ‘Wusool’ program that provides transportation services to the Saudi working ladies. [15] In 2011, there were more female university graduates in Saudi Arabia than male,[16] and female literacy was estimated to be 91%, which while still lower than male literacy, was far higher than 40 years earlier. The drop-out rate of girls increases around puberty, as they drop out of school upon marriage. Raghda and Rafaa Abuazzah’s parents had ruled otherwise. For example, the following women require a male guardian's permission to leave the country: Foreign-citizen women married to Saudi men, adult foreign-citizen women who are the unmarried daughters of Saudi fathers, and foreign-citizen boys under the age of 21 with a Saudi father.[154]. Jeddah is relatively permissive. Her husband divorced her a few months after the marriage without her knowledge, and abandoned her at the age of 21. There is no Saudi Arabia without Islam. Saudi Arabia granted women the right to drive one year ago, a historic move that cracked open a window to new freedoms for women who have long lived under repressive laws… As the female residents are set free, so are the female tourists. Forbes and Time magazines have named Lubna Olayan one of the world's most influential women. ", "Saudi Religious Police Clamp Down on Rural Women Drivers", "Transportation costs take half of women's income", "Band-Aid approach to solve women's transport troubles", "Saudi Women See a Brighter Road on Rights", "Saudi woman to be lashed for defying driving ban", "Two Steps Back: Saudi Woman Sentenced to 10 Lashes for Driving", "Saudi woman 'spared lashing' in driving case", "Questions follow Saudi king's promise on women's rights", "Saudi woman driver's lashing 'overturned by king, "Once jailed for defying a driving ban, this Saudi woman is now standing for office", "Saudi Women's Rights Activists to Appear in Court", "Saudi women's driving activist on trial almost 2 years after ban was lifted", "Saudi Women's Rights Activist Detained for Two Years While Awaiting Trial Must Be Released During Pandemic, Sister Says", "Saudi activist has begun another hunger strike to demand more contact with family, sister says", "Saudi women are a captive market for Uber and Careem", "Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for empowerment of women", "Breakthrough in Saudi Arabia: women allowed in parliament", "Saudi health ministry reshuffle sees the first appointment of women assistant undersecretary", "Saudi women defy ban to register for polls", "Saudi Arabia's women vote in election for first time", "Saudi Arabia: First women councillors elected", "Saudi Arabia Elects Its First Women To Municipal Council", "Saudi Voters Elect 20 Women Candidates for the First Time", "Saudi Arabia: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices", "Saudi Arabia appoints first female ambassador to the US", "Saudi prince assures RP govt they respect rights of women", "Saudi women get ID cards for GCC travel", "Saudi Arabia gives women the right to a copy of their marriage contract", "Two women arrested for alleged polyandry", "KSA: Premarital anti-drug test a must for expats marrying Saudi women", Saudi TV host's beating raises taboo topic: domestic violence against Muslim women, "Saudi Arabia cabinet approves domestic abuse ban", "Saudi Arabia launches powerful ad campaign against domestic violence", "Saudi Arabia passes historic domestic abuse legislation", "Top Saudi cleric: OK for young girls to wed", "Call for legislation to stop child marriages", "Saudi Human Rights Commission Tackles Child Marriages", "Female genital mutilation denies sexual pleasure to millions of women", "Is Female Genital Mutilation an Islamic Problem?