Final Term Paper

Humza Farooq Awan (Roll No. 233858496)

Department of Political Science, Forman Christian College University Lahore

Course/Course number: Women And Politics 521

Dr. Zamurrad Awan

 Post-Modernist Rift and The Role of Feminism in Saudi Arabia:

Change in Socio-Political Status of Women Since Muhammad Bin

Salman’s Reign

Abstract:

This research aims to explore the socio-political transformation of women's status in Saudi

Arabia under the reign of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. It investigates the post-

modernist rift that has influenced this change, with a specific focus on the role of feminism in

shaping the country's current societal structure.

I) Introduction:

In the mysterious tapestry of Saudi Arabia's sociopolitical landscape, a postmodernist

schism has arisen, connecting the dots of tradition and transformation. At the center of this

dynamic transformation is Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, whose reign has catalyzed

change. In this complicated dance between the past and the present, feminism emerges as a

guiding force, challenging existing standards and redefining women's fate in the kingdom. As

the curtain of conservatism begins to lift, the unfolding story of Saudi women's changing

status demonstrates the delicate interplay between tradition and the winds of change. This

investigation goes into the varied nuances of this post-modernist split, hoping to unravel the

tapestry that binds feminism to the unfolding saga of transformation in Saudi Arabia.

II) Literature Review:

Saudi Arab’s shift from religious to Saudi First nationalism has changed the whole

course of Saudi social culture where empowering women has been the most noticeable fact.

Speaking with a personal experience of multiple visits to Saudi Arabia from 2001 to 2009 and

now a recent one in 2023, I can notice the participation of women in multiple social roles

from holding public offices to working on front desk positions in government and private

sectors. This study shall explore the domain of women’s empowerment and a drastic shift in

women’s role from a conservative standpoint in society to a more participating personnel in

social and political affairs. The study will be based on three major themes found after

considering literature reviews of various research articles and personal experiences of people

living there since 2000 via interviews and surveys. The themes of the research are as follows:

1. The role of feminism as a theory and its pragmatic approach in Saudi society via

movements and campaigns like the “Women to Drive Movement” of 2016 or the

“Anti-Male Guardianship Campaign” of 2009 have played a significant role in

shaping the role of women in Saudi society. Although there are other movements as
 well that were striving from 1955 and majorly from 1999, these got accepted and even

ratified as legal reforms in the post-2016 era, which is Prince Muhammad Bin

Salman’s (MBS) age of taking reigns of Saudi policy-making in his hands. Therefore,

the first theme will explore the relationship of Feminist theory, its activeness in Saudi

Arabia, and MBS’s vision for social and political change. To explore this theme

Amélie Le Renard’s opinion in her article “Only for Women:” Women, the State, and

Reform in Saudi Arabia draws a connecting line between local women and the strict

social segregation of Saudi society through a sociological lens that helps in probing

the social status domain of women in Saudi Arabia. Also, a co-authored paper with the

title Review of Women and Society in Saudi Arabia by Yahya Al Alhareth, Yasra Al

Alhareth, and Ibtisam Al Dighrir examined the literature on women and society in

Saudi Arabia and its relationship to educational achievement, taking into account a

variety of factors such as feminist theory, Islamic feminism in Saudi society, the status

of women in Saudi society, and Qur'an, as well as their comparisons to give an

interesting compound view on the theme.

2. The second theme of the paper is developed on the political status and participation of

women in Saudi Arabia. Since 2015, women’s political status has been noticed as

undergoing an interesting change. Elections are rare in Saudi Arabia, but 2015’s

municipal elections gave a reason to the world for raising eyebrows by giving women

the right to vote and standing as candidates for municipal offices. A co-authored

article on The New and the Old: Responses to Change in the Kingdom of Saudi

Arabia by Maura A. E. Pilotti, Eman Jehad Y Abdulhadi, Tahani Alwaleed Algouhi,

and Muamar Hasan Salameh takes us to the primary focus of their qualitative study on

Saudi women's reactions to political change. The study examined how women

responded to decrees granting them the right to vote in local elections, run for office,
 and be nominated by the King to the “Shura Council”. Structured interviews with

urban dwellers revealed that while changes were perceived as opportunities, their

influence was not fully understood. Adding to this Maryam Aldossari’s paper The

Politics and Ethics of Resistance, Feminism and Gender Equality in Saudi Arabian

Organizations explores that the structural characteristics of patriarchy are changing in

Middle Eastern communities and workplaces, but women's experiences of gendered

segregation, underrepresentation, and exclusion raise concerns about the feminist

politics and ethics mobilized to address them. Through data from an interview survey

of 58 Saudi women to investigate their attitudes about gender-segregated and mixed

workplaces she presents a novel theory along with her co-author Thomas Calvard of

how gender is experienced through patterns of resistance and conformity created by

the ethicopolitical, religiopolitical, and sociocultural webs of meaning that pervade

Saudi society's workplaces. Another opinion by Mark C. Thompson in his article

Saudi Women Leaders: Challenges and Opportunities explores how women in Saudi

Arabia confront the new challenges and opportunities created in the political realm

after the January 2013 appointment of thirty Saudi women leaders to the Majlis al-

Shura (Consultative Council) underlined the commitment of the late King Abdullah

bin Abdulaziz to greater engagement by Saudi women in the national decision-making

process.

3. The third theme of this paper will revolve around the change in women’s social status

and participation after Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030” and how it’s linked to Saudi

women’s socio-political status. This theme will be dug into via interviews and through

studies of literature present on women’s participation in business and private social

spheres in Saudi society. The first literature review for this theme is Women's

Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia: Feminist Solidarity and Political Activism in

 Disguise? by Sophie Alkhaled. The paper is a longitudinal research that investigates

women's entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia as a political form of feminist organizing

for social change, drawing on postcolonial feminism. She hopes to broaden our

knowledge of women's activism through ordinary solidarity actions that allow them to

gently encroach on previously banned political space. The study demonstrates how an

entrepreneur's activism evolved through three stages: empowering women within their

organization, developing feminist consciousness within their network, and becoming

a "political activist" advocating for policy changes for women. The other study

considered for this theme is an article by Ikran Eum “New Women for a New Saudi

Arabia?” Gendered Analysis of Saudi Vision 2030 and Women’s Reform Policies. Her

paper explores the characteristics and limitations of Saudi Vision 2030 and related

reform measures from a gender perspective, clarifying state-women relations within

the context of current research. The article emphasizes that the new measures are not

meant to enhance women's rights in general, but rather to boost the Saudi economy

and strengthen the Crown Prince's authority. Saudi Arabia, like other patriarchal Arab

countries, is modernizing and reforming in ways that shape women's roles and images

through official policy and philosophy.

The Middle East has been a complex domain to be considered for research. With its

regional intricacy of socio-cultural and political structure, the Middle East poses a special

task to investigate particular cases. Saudi Arabia, commonly considered the Suni head of the

Muslim World, holds a special place to be challenged for its patriarchal monarchy. For

instance, several Muslim countries are challenged by Western democratic values and are

forced to consider women’s role in socio-political spheres, but not Saudi Arabia. A detailed

study on the role of women and feminism in Saudi Arabia led me to an unexplored area of
study where the status of women is being affected by a post-modernist rift in the Kingdom of

Saudi Arabia and the status of women will play a particular role in shaping the state policies

in the future. Right now, women and researchers might think this is a use of women by the

Saudi patriarchal monarchy, but the rise in post-modern ideas in Saudi Arabia will give

women a special status in the socio-political sphere of the state. There has been a history of

post-modernist trends that shaped societies with their particular features and this could be

seen in the changes predicted in the post-Saudi Arab’s Vision 2030 age.

III) Research Methodology:

This study takes a qualitative method based on secondary data analysis to analyze the

postmodernist divide and the influence of feminism in altering the sociopolitical status of

women in Saudi Arabia under Muhammad Bin Salman's reign. The study includes a thorough

literature analysis to develop specific research objectives, and data gathering is based on a

variety of secondary sources, including academic articles, government reports, and media

coverage. Thematic analysis will be used to uncover patterns and storylines in the dataset.

The ethical implications, validity, and dependability of the sources are addressed, and the

findings are reviewed in light of previous research. The study intends to provide

comprehensive insights into the transforming forces affecting women's status in Saudi Arabia,

contributing to the larger discourse on societal change and gender roles in the region.

IV) Research Questions:

1. How have cultural and societal attitudes towards gender roles and women's rights in

Saudi Arabia changed during Muhammad Bin Salman's reign?

2. To what extent has feminist rhetoric and activity in Saudi Arabia influenced policy

reforms and legal frameworks concerning women's rights, and how could Vision 2030

change women's lived experiences in the country?

V) Understanding the co-relation of Feminism and Postmodernity and its ingress in the

Middle East:

Postmodernism, a new intellectual movement that arose in the mid to late 1970s, had

a profound impact on feminist thinking. Its skepticism of absolute ideals and any absolute

development concept contrasts with the Enlightenment's confidence in transcendental,

universal values. Postmodernism, alongside poststructuralism and postcolonial thinking, has

resulted in a more diversified, adaptable, morally and culturally reflective understanding of

what it means to be a woman. This new relativist perspective has prompted feminists to

connect with third-world women in ways that take into account cultural and geographical

differences.

However, postmodernism has resulted in a subtle but widespread prejudice in the

works of many contemporary feminists. While these feminists have excellent intentions, their

understanding of the Muslim culture is often limited. This is obvious in the oversimplified

and clichéd descriptions of conditions in hotspots such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the

Palestinian Territories. In the 1990s, numerous women's rights activists became active in

campaigns against honor killing in Jordan and female genital mutilation in Egypt. However,

these efforts had little impact on the communities they were ostensibly attempting to alter.

Western NGOs, with their secular focus, were at a loss to understand the dynamic interplay of

religion, culture, and politics in the Muslim world.

Today, postmodernist secular problems have major ramifications for the globe in

general, particularly the Muslim world. In this study, an attempt was made to provide insight

into the key themes and ambitions of the postmodern feminist movement, as well as

postmodern tendencies. This study provides an overview of the major themes and goals of the

feminist movement, particularly in Saudi Arabia. It examines the concept, origins, and

emergence of feminism, particularly in Saudi Arabia with Muhammad Bin Salman’s Vision
2030, as well as its nature and many developments. There are multiple definitions of

feminism, as well as many varied opinions in the feminist movement that illustrate that it is

not baseless, but rather demands serious study.

VI) Changing socio-political trends in the favor of women in Saudi Arabia:

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), societal changes frequently begin at the top,

with formal decrees establishing new standards of behavior. For example, in 2017, women

were allowed to drive, and in 2019, Saudi women over 21 were allowed to travel without the

approval of a male guardian. These decisions are regarded as a paradigmatic shift in science.

However, change is frequently driven from the bottom up, as young and old people expect

more from their community. As the gap between outside contemporary norms and traditional

standards widens, the pressure to abandon habits and values grows.

When a decree authorizes the change, people are faced with two options: obedience to

traditional values, which can provide respect but also cement a reputation for a bygone way

of life, or adherence to foreign values, which can provide independence and inclusion in the

global community but also face scorn from local communities who see change as a violation

of traditional teachings. People may choose to act in a way that falls somewhere between

change and tradition, but they will be unrewarded by both reformers and traditionalists for

doing so.

De la Sablonnière (2017) categorizes societies into three states of being: status quo,

incremental social change, and dramatic social change. The label status quo applies when the

equilibrium of a society's social and normative structures and cultural identity is preserved

through either stability or inertia. Incremental change allows people to gradually adapt to new

modes of being. In contrast, dramatic change shakes and disintegrates the current order so

rapidly and profoundly that it cannot serve as a frame of reference. Dramatic social change
demands people reconstruct core elements of their existence, call for a re-definition of values,

norms, and human relations, and force individuals to learn new skills and definitions of the

self. Keeping this in mind, we sought to determine whether the current developments in

women's daily lives in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) represent a gradual or sudden

transformation. The Wahhābī interpretation of the Qur'an emphasizes political engagement

and challenges established gender norms. Women's roles are limited to the family, and

modesty norms, gender segregation, and male guardianship are essential for a moral life.

Political engagement, on the other hand, can address women's historical exclusion from a

wide range of opportunities and is inspired by the roles of great female individuals in Islamic

history.

The traditional culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been defined in

contradictory terms as one that tolerates or encourages disparities within a hierarchically

organized social system, prioritizes honor and rivalry, or favors egalitarianism, harmony, and

teamwork, all spurred by Islam. The intermingling of tribal and Islamic affiliations makes it

difficult to distinguish between these traditions and practices. The roots of various traditions

and rituals are obscure, and research does not address the prevalence of bilingualism among

the region's youth. This is encouraged by the encouragement of bilingualism in formal

schooling from a young age, as well as intercultural exchanges enabled by internet surfing,

encounters with expatriates in urban areas, and international travel. Despite exposure to

Western traditions, all Saudi nationals, particularly women, have been subjected to a strict

code of conduct throughout childhood that promotes local tribal and religious norms, beliefs,

values, and customs. Thus, the socio-political changes in Saudi society are occurring

smoothly in no time.

Legal Reforms:
 Under Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman's reign, Saudi Arabia has seen

significant strides in relaxing laws that previously restricted women's rights. Two of the most

notable changes have been the lifting of the ban on women driving and the relaxation of male

guardianship laws.

In June 2018, a long-standing ban on women driving was lifted in Saudi Arabia. This

change came after years of campaigning by women's rights activists and marked a historic

moment for women in the country (Al-Rasheed, 2020). The lifting of the ban was more than

just a symbolic gesture; it represented a significant shift in the socio-political landscape of

Saudi Arabia. Women were no longer dependent on men for their mobility, which increased

their access to employment opportunities, education, and healthcare services. It also signaled

a move towards recognizing women as equal members of society, capable of making

decisions about their movements and actions.

The following year, in August 2019, another significant change occurred when a royal

decree allowed women over the age of 21 to travel abroad without a male guardian's

permission (Hubbard, 2019). Prior to this, women of all ages were required to seek approval

from a male guardian - typically a father, husband, brother, or son - to apply for a passport or

travel outside the country. This law had been widely criticized for infringing on women's

rights and personal freedoms. The royal decree not only removed these restrictions but also

granted women the right to register births, marriages, and divorces, and to be issued official

family documents, tasks traditionally performed by male guardians.

Economic Participation:

The economic reforms under Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman's reign have been

a significant driver in promoting women's participation in the workforce. Central to these

reforms is Vision 2030, an ambitious strategic framework that aims to diversify Saudi
Arabia's economy and reduce its dependence on oil revenues (Vision 2030, 2016). One of the

key goals of this initiative is to increase women's participation in the workforce from 22% to

30% by 2030.

This target is not merely a quantitative goal; it also represents a qualitative shift in the

nature of women's employment. Historically, women in Saudi Arabia were confined to jobs in

specific sectors such as education and healthcare. However, as part of the Vision 2030

initiative, restrictions on women working in certain sectors have been eased, opening up a

range of new opportunities for women (Alsharif & Nereim, 2018).

For instance, women can now work in fields such as air traffic control and passport

control, roles that were previously reserved for men. In 2017, the public prosecution office

announced it would start recruiting women as investigators, marking the first time women

could serve in such roles (Alsharif & Nereim, 2018). These changes are significant as they

challenge traditional gender norms and provide women with greater career choices and

financial independence.

Moreover, the government has introduced policies to support women's increased

participation in the workforce. These include anti-discrimination laws, provisions for

maternity leave, and regulations requiring workplaces to be suitable for women. The

government has also launched initiatives to promote entrepreneurship among women and to

provide them with the necessary skills and training for the job market.

However, despite these positive steps, challenges remain. Women in Saudi Arabia still face

considerable barriers to workforce participation, including societal attitudes towards working

women, lack of transportation, and inadequate childcare facilities. Moreover, while the easing

of restrictions has opened up new sectors for women, they remain underrepresented in senior

positions.
 In conclusion, while there is still a long way to go, the economic reforms under

Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman's reign, particularly the Vision 2030 initiative, have

undeniably improved women's participation in the workforce. These changes represent a

significant step towards gender equality in Saudi Arabia.

Political Participation:

The political landscape in Saudi Arabia has historically been male-dominated, with

women having limited rights and representation. However, under Crown Prince Muhammad

Bin Salman's reign, there have been notable improvements in women's political participation.

A landmark moment for women's political rights in Saudi Arabia came in 2015 when

women were allowed to vote and run for office in municipal elections for the first time (Al-

Rasheed, 2020). This reform was a significant milestone as it marked the first time that

women could participate in the political process. In these elections, around 130,000 women

registered to vote, and more than 900 women ran for office. Ultimately, 20 women were

elected to municipal positions across the country (Al-Rasheed, 2020).

While this number may seem small, it represented a significant shift in the

traditionally male-dominated political landscape of Saudi Arabia. It also demonstrated the

government's commitment to improving women's political participation, a key aspect of the

Vision 2030 initiative.

In addition to allowing women to vote and run for office, the government has also

taken steps to increase women's representation in appointed political positions. In 2013, King

Abdullah issued a decree mandating that women should make up at least 20% of the Shura

Council, the kingdom's main advisory body. As a result, 30 women were appointed to the

150-member council (Doumato, 2013).

 Despite these positive steps, challenges remain. Women in politics face numerous

barriers, including societal attitudes, lack of experience, and limited access to political

networks. Moreover, while women's representation in politics has increased, they remain

underrepresented, particularly in senior positions.

While there is still a long way to go, the changes under Crown Prince Muhammad Bin

Salman's reign represent a significant step towards improving women's political participation

in Saudi Arabia. These changes are part of a broader shift towards greater gender equality in

the country.

VII) Conclusion:

The post-modernist rift in Saudi Arabia, under the reign of Crown Prince Muhammad

Bin Salman, has led to a radical shift in societal norms and structures, with feminism playing

a crucial role in this transformation. Post-modernism, a movement that emerged in the mid-

to-late 20th century, is characterized by a departure from modernist ideals and a rejection of

grand theories and ideologies. In the context of Saudi Arabia, this post-modernist rift

represents a significant move away from traditional societal norms towards a more

progressive and inclusive society (Hassan, 1985).

This shift has been largely driven by Vision 2030, an ambitious initiative launched by

Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, aimed at diversifying the economy and reducing

Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil. A key aspect of this vision is the empowerment of women

and their increased participation in the workforce (Vision 2030, 2016). This socio-political

change aligns with post-modernist principles, which advocate for diversity, plurality, and the

deconstruction of power structures.

Feminism in Saudi Arabia, while still facing considerable challenges due to deeply

ingrained patriarchal norms, has been instrumental in driving this post-modernist shift. The
feminist movement in the country has grown significantly over the past few years, advocating

for women's rights and gender equality. Feminist activism has played a pivotal role in

bringing about landmark changes such as the lifting of the ban on women driving in 2018 and

the relaxation of male guardianship laws in 2019 (Hubbard, 2019).

These reforms have not only improved the socio-political status of women but also

signaled a significant shift in societal attitudes towards gender roles. Women are now

increasingly visible in public life, participating in areas previously reserved for men, such as

politics, sports, and the workforce (Al-Rasheed, 2020). This increased visibility and

participation of women in public life challenge traditional gender norms and power

structures, aligning with both post-modernist and feminist principles.

However, it is important to note that despite these significant strides, there is still

much work to be done. Women in Saudi Arabia continue to face numerous restrictions and

gender-based discrimination. The feminist movement, while growing, still faces significant

opposition and challenges. Nonetheless, the post-modernist rift and the role of feminism have

undeniably set Saudi Arabia on a path toward greater gender equality and societal progress.
References List:

Al-Rasheed, M. (2020). Salman's Legacy: The Dilemmas of a New Era in Saudi Arabia.

Hurst Publishers.

Alsharif, A., & Nereim, V. (2018). Saudi Arabia Agrees to Let Women Drive. Bloomberg.

Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-26/saudi-arabia-agrees-

to-let-women-drive-in-latest-modernization

de la Sablonnière, R. (2017). Toward a psychology of social change: A typology of

Doumato, E. A. (2013). Women and the Stability of Saudi Arabia. Middle East Report, No.

173, Women and Work in the Middle East (Nov. - Dec., 1992), pp. 33-37. Middle East

Research and Information Project.

Hassan, I. (1985). The Culture of Postmodernism. Theory, Culture & Society, 2(3), 119–132.

Hubbard, B. (2019). Saudi Women Can Now Travel Without Male Guardians. The New York

Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/01/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-

guardianship.html

Hubbard, B. (2019). Saudi Women Can Now Travel Without Male Guardians. The New York

Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/01/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-

guardianship.html

social change. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1–20. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00397

Vision 2030. (2016). Vision 2030. Retrieved from https://vision2030.gov.sa/en