There have been a lot of changes in the past few years in Saudi Arabia — most notably in the role of women. Not that long ago, ten to 15 years ago, women were not allowed — by their male-guardians — to work. In fact, many girls had to struggle in order to continue their education at university level, let alone be able to work. Only recently has it become expected — to a certain degree — that women work. However, there’s more to this — positive — change than meets the eye, and this can be seen by taking a look at the reasons why this new phenomenon has taken place. And these reasons are: In case the girl does not marry, she will be able to support herself rather than be a burden on her family, or to increase her chances of marriage since most men are now finding it difficult to get well-paying jobs.
This shift is quite interesting, because although women are now being encouraged to study and work, this of course comes with certain conditions. One is that a woman works in the education sector and preferably as a primary schoolteacher. For instance, according to a recent article published in this paper, about 50 percent of female nurses and doctors are unmarried. I know this is not the case for all Saudis. However, for the vast majority this is the case, since a teacher at primary school (state school that is) will be earning a decent salary and will be home just in time to get the “kabssah” — Saudi popular dish — ready, and of course there is no mixed environment in the teaching field.
What I find frustrating about this shift is that a woman’s role in our society has changed in terms of her being expected to work, yet the man’s role remains the same — for instance, since women are now working, why are men not helping out around the house? I would expect that if there is a shift in “roles” it should also be applicable to men. However, most men do little to nothing once they are home from work, not even when it comes to helping their wives in raising their children.
Our society is filled with so much irony. We claim to be a chivalrous society — which I believe we once were — but today we have taken chivalry to an extreme with the result that instead of protecting and appreciating women we are now literally locking them up at home, and when they are given opportunities to be independent — by working — it is more about men no longer being able to perform their duties as the primary bread winners than about instilling the idea of independence in women.
If we claim to follow the Shariah to the dot then why do we pick and choose what we want? Why do we ban women from driving by claiming that it is for their protection, yet we expect women to work now so as to reduce the financial burden imposed on the “poor” Saudi man — when according to Islamic teachings even if a woman earns more than her husband, her husband is still obligated to support her and the family financially. Yes I do understand that a woman can protest to this; however, most women don’t since they will be threatened with divorce.
When will women be able to make their own choices without any conditions being imposed upon them?
