Women’s issues are complicated and have given rise to many differing opinions. We were aiming at a calm, sensible discussion. The question we asked was: Is it right that the role of Saudi women in building society is neglected? A number of different women from a variety of backgrounds participated.
Dr. Amirah Kashghari, a professor at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, said, “Unfortunately, there are people who accuse women of being in revolt against Islamic tradition when they speak of women’s issues. We do not say that the Islamic Shariah does not give women their rights. This said, there are certain problems which women face today. Islam gives respect to both men and women and gives them equal rights and duties. We only have to read the stories of the Prophet’s wives to see how they were part of society and our Islamic heritage. Women should realize what is going on around them and should be represented in political, social and economic life. All are of importance in developing society. A woman who performs her role in society is an effective element in building society and contributing to a new generation. Weak women who do not realize their rights will only produce a weak society and a weak population. Only if women are granted their rights based on Islamic Shariah can our society be strong.”
Dr. Layla Al-Ahdab, a women’s activist, said, “Social problems are widespread among Arabs, especially among Saudi women. What can we expect from a child who sees his mother beaten and humiliated? The child will not have a normal childhood. He or she will suffer psychologically and this will result in an element in society that is not constructive. Women often suffer because of ignorant men who do not know how to deal with women. The men use violence in dealing with women. I ask men what their lives would be worth without women and their influences? Aren’t your mother, sisters and wives women? We need to seek decision based on the Shariahconcerning issues related to the relationship between men and women. If we want to advance, we must liberate ourselves from the restraints of culture and tradition that do not come from our religion.”
Intesar Al-Akeel, a writer and women’s activist, said, “One of the most important rights, whether for men or women, is the right to live happily with dignity. I know many women from my work who are not happy in their lives. Saudi women suffer from many problems. Poverty is not the main one but a lack of happiness is. There are poor people who still live happy lives. There is also the problem of ignoring women’s role in society as well as the problem of violence against wives. There are thousands of women who silently suffer violence at the hands of their husbands. I add my voice to those asking for the establishment of a committee to protect wives from violent husbands.”
The Voice of Businesswomen
Saudi businesswoman, Faieqa Zaini, spoke of the difficulties faced by many Saudi businesswomen, especially in investment or establishing new businesses. She said, “Women are very limited in business and there are many that prevent them from participating in our national development. We must find solutions to these problems which trouble all Saudi businesswomen. Women are discriminated against in the field of business and there is a need to set up a court prevent cheating women and defrauding them; it should also be able to guarantee that women’s rights are protected. There is also an urgent need to establish a supreme commission to protect women from violence. Women must be allowed to go into new fields (which are presently closed to them) in order to develop themselves and society. Women are numerically more than half of society and they can prove themselves if given the chance. We are not asking for more than the Shariah gives us.” Nazeeh Musa, a lawyer, said, “In the past, we highlighted the negative side of women problems. Women cannot visit a branch of the Ministry of Commerce. I do not think that it is logical for the ministry to force Saudi businesswomen to have a legal agent with full rights to manage her work. As a lawyer, I am familiar with many cases where the Saudi businesswoman became a victim of the legal agent. Yes, a decision was issued by the Ministry of Commerce that canceled the need for a legal agent but in real life, the decision is not applied. The ministry still forces Saudi businesswomen to have a legal agent. I am also surprised that a Saudi businesswoman is sometimes asked to have two witnesses sign a letter confirming her identity. She has an identity card issued by the Ministry of Interior which means that those asking her do not recognize her identity as legal. The problem is that we are very shy when there is a need to correct things. We have to be honest and discuss the issues in the media. The decision maker in Saudi Arabia is able to make the decision but the problem comes in enforcing the decision.”
Khadeeja Lubna, a Saudi businesswoman, said, “Men did not deprive women of their rights; women deprived themselves. I am a woman in Saudi society and have been working since I was 15. During this time, no one has ever deprived me of my rights because I demand them, ask for them and refuse to give them up. I ask women to participate in business and not to rely on men. A man who views his wife as a partner will not object to her participating in society. A great problem here is that women’s voices are not heard in our courts. Sometimes they are forced to remain silent by order of the judge. This is unfair and unjust. As a Saudi businesswoman, I demand a special court dealing exclusively with business matters and disputes. Saudi businesswomen suffer unfairness and injustice when they have to go to court to resolve business problems.”