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Sophie Jackle

Phillips

AP Language

14 December 2018

Saudi Arabian Women: Revolution or Submission?

Saudi Arabia is infamous for being one of the most repressive countries in the

world, especially when it comes to women’s rights. Recently, new rights have been

granted to women-- small freedoms which can show what women are capable of, which

in turn, may result in more freedoms. Saudi women can now drive, join the military, and

own their own businesses. But many restrictions still exist like the guardianship system,

religious police and segregation. Although progress is is being made, significant cultural

change must occur for the advancement of Saudi Women.

Caught between a mixture of law and tradition, a woman’s whole life is dictated

by her male family members under the Restricted Guardian System. A male relative,

whether it be a father, brother, uncle or son, is a woman’s voice; he decides what she

can and cannot do. Women need their male relative’s consent to be able to work, travel,

or even receive medical care. Surprisingly, Saudi women do not need permission to

apply for a driver’s license (Coker). This could be the start to less restrictions on things

women can do by themselves. Although the law no longer requires a male guardian’s

approval to use government services and apply for a job, in actuality, many employers

still require it (Morris).

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Segregation is a huge part of Saudi Arabians’ lives. Women must interact with

men that are not related to them as little as possible. It is everywhere-- in parks,

beaches, buildings, restaurants and even public transportation. The mixing of

non-related men and women can even result in criminal charges (“Six Things Women In

Saudi Arabia Still Can’t Do"). There are signs that this practice is changing, however. “In

one Riyadh cafe, groups of men and women sit unsegregated as music plays on the

patio-- a scene unthinkable just a few years ago. And [in May], the kingdom’s first

cinema in 30 years opened, also not segregated” (Morris).

When a woman leaves the house, or is in the presence of a man, she must wear

an abaya, a garment that covers her entire body, and she may even cover her face with

a veil. Failure to follow the strict islamic-based dress code often results in harassment

by the religious police (“Six Things Women…”). In ​Harper’s Magazine,​ Sarah Aziza

writes, “In 2016, police arrested several women for attending a mixed gender party, and

in July [of 2017], a woman was arrested after a Snapchat video of her was posted of her

walking around in public without an abaya.” Even though she wasn’t caught in the act,

the video was enough to get her arrested. The religious police is called The Committee

for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (CPVPV) and they are responsible

for many human rights violations and the repression of women. This organization,

controlled by the Saudi Arabian government, has been known to chase, beat and

unlawfully arrest women for minor offences such as wearing nail polish, and even

audible laughter (Aziza).

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Despite being hidden under their abayas, women have recently been permitted

to show their strength by joining the army. This has the potential to significantly change

gender norms, such as the belief that women aren’t capable and strong, and that they

need a guardian to look after them. In a sign that Saudi women are eager for

advancement opportunities, 107,000 women applied for the 140 military positions

initially available (Toubi). Even a Shura Council member, Iqbal Darandari, wants

mandatory training for all people, both men and women, to prepare them to defend their

country. The Gulf News quotes Darandari’s belief that, “Women are naturally strong and

valiant and everyone would feel more comfortable with the knowledge that well trained

women can defend the nation” (Toubi).

According to ​The Washington Post,​ the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s

“Vision 2030” project claims it is important to advance the role of women. “However, it

appears that allowing women to voice their opinions is not part of the plan. Instead, the

crown prince is throwing them in jail.” Seven people who campaigned for women driving

were arrested in May ("The Saudi crown prince is throwing women in jail for speaking

up"). Salman seeks to keep his power as total ruler and doesn’t want his people to think

that protesting and advocacy is the way to get what they want.

Social media could threaten the Crown Prince’s power. Aryn Baker, writer for

Time Magazine​, explores how perspectives of Saudi Women could be broadened

through social media. According to Baker, Saudi Arabians are some of the biggest

users of social media in the world. This exposure could change their mindset because it

allows them to see how the rest of the world operates. Some progressive changes are
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evident in Taleedal Tamer, a Saudi Arabian Model who was on the cover of ​Harper’s

Bazaar Arabia​. Tamer believes that, “[Her] modeling is changing how Saudis see

women, and it’s changing how the world sees Saudi women” (Baker). This is restricted

in her culture because she is not in an abaya, but this could signal a change ahead for

what is possible when it comes to women’s dress.

Rights recently granted to women are a good start to changing Saudi Arabia’s

restrictive society. But these small victories don’t guarantee that true advancement will

ensue for Saudi women, at least not for a while. Royal advisor Hanan Al-Ahmadi agrees

that changes are happening in Saudi Arabia but he states that “we need to be able to

create this change gradually and maintain our identity” (“Six Things Women...").

Although new rights are being granted to women in Saudi Arabia, these minor rights are

nothing when it comes to the big picture. Real advancement will come Saudi people

view women as equal and the guardianship system and segregation are abolished.
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Work Cited

Aziza, Sarah. "Body Politic: Saudi Women Push for the Right to Exercise."​ Harper's

Magazine​, Jan.

2018, pp. 57-62​. SIRS Issues Researcher​,​https://sks.sirs.com​.

Baker, Aryn. "Is the End of Saudi Arabia's Driving Ban a Rebrand or a Revolution?"

Time Magazine​, 28 June 2018,

time.com/longform/saudi-arabia-driving-ban-rebrand-or-revolution/.

Coker, Margaret. "Saudi Women Get Car Keys, Not Equality."​ New York Times​, 23 Jun.

2018, pp. A. 1.

SIRS Issues Researcher,​ ​https://sks.sirs.com​.

Morris, Loveday. "Female Bikers Signal a New Road Ahead for Saudi Arabia."

Washington Post​, 06

May. 2018, pp. A.1​. SIRS Issues Researcher​,​https://sks.sirs.com​.

"The Saudi crown prince is throwing women in jail for speaking up." ​Washington Post,​ 4

Aug. 2018. ​Global Issues in Context,​

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A548918097/GIC?u=rale84535&sid=GIC&xid

=b40875a3.​ Accessed 4 Dec. 2018.

"Six Things Women In Saudi Arabia Still Can't Do." ​The Week​, 5 June 2018,

www.theweek.co.uk/60339/things-women-cant-do-in-saudi-arabia​.

Toubi, Habib. "In a FIrst, Saudi Woman Can Join the Army." ​Gulf News,​ 26 Feb. 2018,

gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/in-a-first-saudi-women-can-join-the-army-1.21792

68.