JEDDAH, 22 July 2003 — Many believe that women teachers have it all. They receive high salaries, regular raises, and get better vacations than those working in other fields, and their working hours tend to be short.
But the reality is that women teachers experience their share of hardship precisely because they are well-paid. Their salary often pays for the education of their children, for groceries, the maid’s salary, and even phone and electricity bills.
Aliyah has worked as a secondary school teacher for more than 10 years. “Every year, my former husband used to take it all, claiming that he doesn’t earn enough money and we are not able to pay our rent,” she told Arab News.
“When I refused to hand over my paycheck, he beat me up and mistreated me for being a bad wife. I wanted to keep my money in the bank for a rainy day.”
According to Shariah law, a man must provide his family or partner with living requirements. It is up to the woman to help out if she wants to.
“A woman’s situation can get difficult sometimes and it is important that we put something aside. After my divorce, I was able to save all my money and help myself when I needed to. I appreciated what I was doing and I didn’t hate my job any more,” Aliyah added. Another teacher told Arab News she had to pay her father to allow her to go out and work. Olfat said: “When I needed the money to buy some things for myself, my father forbade me to work. But when I gave him my salary check later, I was able to keep on working.”
