Maha Akeel

By : Maha Akeel

:: Western human rights groups have harshly criticized the election of Saudi Arabia to the UN Commission on the Status of Women. They point to the male guardian system that controls women’s lives, gender segregation in public places, and the fact that it is the only country that does not allow women to drive. There is no denying these issues are unjust, insulting and an obstacle to women’s progress. But let us look at the bigger picture.

Saudi Arabia, a relatively young country, has transformed within a few decades from a tribal society to a modern state. Illiteracy among women has been reduced tremendously, women account for more than half of university graduates, and more are entering the workforce in various fields.

Education and economic empowerment will lead to more change in previously held convictions regarding women’s roles and status in society, including the right to drive and be their own guardian. Women work as teachers, professors, doctors, nurses, journalists, artists and businesswomen. They hold leadership positions as CEOs, university presidents and deans, heads of hospitals and departments and editors in chief.

This means they are mixing with men in the workplace and in most public places. Other laws and procedures in favor of women regarding marriage, divorce, child custody and domestic abuse have been adopted, and there is constant discussion about further development, especially now that a Family Council has been established.

Critics point to the low Saudi ranking in the Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Looking at the report’s four areas, the Kingdom scores high on educational attainment and health and survival, but very low on economic participation and opportunity and political empowerment. One of the goals of Vision 2030 is to increase the percentage of women in the workforce and appoint more women to leadership positions.

Saudi women work as teachers, professors, doctors, nurses, journalists, artists and businesswomen. They hold leadership positions as CEOs, university presidents and deans, heads of hospitals and departments and editors in chief.

Maha Akeel

This is happening, with decisions supporting female employment and appointing them to top management. Politically, as well as being appointed to the Shoura Council (Parliament) since 2013, women have gained the right to vote and run as candidates in municipal elections, winning 21 seats in 2015. I expect that next year’s report will show a better Saudi ranking.

More must be done to advance Saudi women’s rights, particularly regarding guardianship and driving, which must be revised. It is absurd that a female surgeon, university president or CEO needs permission from her male guardian to travel, or is forbidden to drive her own car.

These demands do not contradict Islam and Shariah; Islam guarantees equal rights for women. The problem is in interpretation of the text and its implementation. Changing people’s beliefs, persuading them to come out of their comfort zone, and challenging them to adapt to a new reality takes time, but it will happen.

As Helen Clark, former administrator of the UN Development Program (UNDP) and prime minister of New Zealand, wisely said in response to news of the election of Saudi Arabia to the UN commission: “It’s important to support those in the country who are working for change for women. Things are changing, but slowly.”

The UN says the Commission on the Status of Women works to “promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.” What better place to continue empowering Saudi women and advocating for their rights?

Rather than looking at the matter from a narrow, judgmental and biased perspective, it would serve Saudi women much better to have an inclusive, encouraging and tolerant approach that accommodates diversity while providing advice and support.

Maha Akeel is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah.

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in the Column section are their own and do not reflect RiyadhVision’s point-of-view.

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