When Saudi Women Vote …
As hilarious as the irony in this picture is, I see real progress in Saudi Arabia in regards to women’s rights. Before, I continue, it should be made that overall Saudi and Arab women are not oppressed by their male counter parts as claimed by the west. As a matter of fact, my mother of Arab decent completed her higher education, raised a family, and went on to be a translator for the United Nations. Women in Arab society are held in high regard and usually considered something valuable to protect. It is this protection that is usually misunderstood by the west and called oppression. However, I believe the level of protection can be toned down to help ease the restrictions places on some Arab women.
With that said, I have met and worked with many great, inspirational, and explanatory women in Saudi Arabia. Not only are the women academically bright, socially active, and talented but they are using those traits to improve the situation in Saudi Arabia. Take for example Princess Maha Bint Abdulaziz founder of Sawa'ed Atheeb an exceptional 20 year old college student that founded a volunteer committee. An organization committed to educate Saudi youth about the value of giving back to society. They last project raised 2,706 pairs off jeans to be donated to the needy! This is just one of many examples, and beauty of it is that this is not limited to the privileged.
Take the organization that I co-founded, Social & Development Committee, a student activity board of sorts. This year our university Alfaisal admitted female students. Making it the first semi co-ed university in the Kingdom. Interestingly, when we opened registration to the student body, over 70% of the applicants were females. Why were the men not as interested? Not only were they more interested in making an impact in the university, but their resumes were impressive! Which makes it very hard for me to narrow the applicants down.
So, the King’s decision to allow women to vote could not have come any sooner! Saudi and Arab women input in the government and society will be very beneficial to the growth of the region.
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I enjoy reading your articles…thanks for the insight. As a Muslim American, i would have to say that although it is important for women’s suffrage, it is more important to vote for something you can believe it. Most saudis seem disheartened by voting realizing that they have no clue what they are voting for, the person they are voting for has no real authority, and hence a lack of trust in the system. You cannot create a mechanism to be ‘more democratic’ if what you are trying to achieve is squashed at the end of the day by native tribalism, ‘wasta’, and the mere chaos in every framework of society as the experience is in this developing nation.
Once Saudi Arabian citizens begin behaving more like ‘real democratic societies’ in regards to structure, transparency, and non-discriminatory practices, then you will start having the framework to have a strong voting system for something you can actually believe in.
Thank you,
Riabuz