I WISH the authorities would allow women to drive. The decision would permanently close the door to those asking the perpetual question about women driving. This happens every time a foreign visitor comes to this country and wants to know something about Saudi women.
In just one week I met three foreign journalists preparing reports on the status of Saudi women, including employment and rights in general. They wanted to know if the Saudi woman could really hold a job without driving.
Driving is the subject that dominates every discussion and the visitors claim they want to know whether Saudi women suffer from any injustice.
The way this question is normally raised indicates the questioner is more interested in stating a fact than in seeking an answer. The achievements of some Saudi women on the international level are ignored.
When a well-informed foreign journalist with extensive experience pretends to know nothing about a prominent person in a senior international position, it is not our duty to volunteer to tell them anything. It is essential for anyone wishing to interview somebody to have some background or some basic information about the person to be interviewed. These are the ABC’s of journalism.
What actually happens with some visitors to this country is that they come loaded — not with questions but with piles of accusations. The meeting turns into an interrogation session instead of being a useful discussion.
Saudi women should have faith and confidence in themselves and refuse to be treated like suspected criminals who must defend themselves before foreign visitors.
15 October 2002
