A local columnist, in an article entitled “I wish I were a maid,” wrote about maids and how they live with Saudi families. The writer expressed his resentment at how some Saudi families treat maids, including not letting them venture outside unless there is an emergency.

I am surprised at why he is upset at the condition of maids when women are demanding the same thing that he demands for maids? Does this writer know that the condition of some maids is better than housewives? If maids are held inside their homes for two years, then housewives are being held for longer periods having left their families to come and live with their husbands. If they do leave home in extreme cases, then they do so with their husbands. Some families do not find any difficulty in sending their maids to the supermarket alone while their womenfolk are banned from leaving alone. A housewife told me that she wishes she were in her maid’s shoes. She said she would be willing to trade all her luxury, including her cell phone and Internet, just to regain her freedom.

The writer said he visited Indonesia and the Philippines and learned about the living conditions of women in these countries and the freedom of movement they enjoy there. I was wondering why the writer did not wish for Saudi women the same freedom these women have in their countries. I find it strange that he asks us to extend to maids the same living conditions here that they enjoy in their homelands, while ignoring Saudi women. I wonder, are we going to allow maids to leave homes without their abayas and hair uncovered?

If the writer was demanding justice for them, like good working conditions with normal hours and on time payment of salaries, then I would agree with him 100 percent. We, as women, see justice for maids in treating them nicely and equally, and allowing them to wear what we wear and eat what we eat. With regard to freedom of movement — when maids receive this luxury, then we will also take half of it.