Women in Saudi Arabia will not be allowed to hold public debates or peaceful demonstrations to celebrate International Women’s Day. Universal human rights standards mandate that women assume productive and equal roles in society. For decades, the Saudi government has ignored and severely violated women’s most basic human rights through discriminatory economic, political, and social policies. Even if “cultural heritage” and “local traditions” play a role in disenfranchising Saudi women, they simply do not justify or diminish the unacceptable violations of universally recognized basic human rights on the part of the government.
Snapshot: Women’s Status in Saudi Arabia
- Women in Saudi Arabia may not legally drive, travel, or receive medical attention without permission from a male “guardian”.
- Women cannot vote or run for office, and were excluded from the 2005 elections.
- Women must sit in the back of public buses, even when they are completely empty.
- Saudi women are obligated to completely cover themselves with an abaya.
- Saudi women are prohibited from studying many subjects in school, such as biology and chemistry.
- In Saudi courts, a woman’s testimony is worth half that of a man’s.
- The government’s religious police harshly enforce strict gender segregation in public places, ranging from the workplace to hospitals and restaurants
- Sports are prohibited in girl’s schools.
Harsh Policies, Tragic Realities
In March 2002, dozens of young Saudi schoolgirls perished or were severely burned when a fire engulfed their schoolhouse. The extremist religious police refused to open the school gates because the girls were not cloaked from head-to-toe with the abaya, and prevented rescue workers from entering because the workers were men and would violate the government’s strict gender segregation laws. None of the religious police who prevented young girls from fleeing has ever been brought to justice. While this is an extreme example, it illuminates the horrific ramifications of Saudi discriminatory policies toward women.
Saudi Policies Matter
As the birthplace of Islam and home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves, Saudi Arabia exerts significant influence over Muslim and Arab communities and the global economy. Under a democratic and non-sectarian leadership that includes women in all decision making processes, Saudi Arabia could constructively lead the way to stability, prosperity and security in Arab, Muslim, and Middle Eastern societies.
Empower Saudi Women Now!
The empowerment of Saudi women is a moral imperative, and also the shortest and safest path to democratizing Saudi Arabia. Empowerment of Saudi women will not happen without the international community’s intense public support.
Get Involved! The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia considers women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia one of its top priorities. To find out how you can help, please visit our website at www.cdhr.info or email us at cdhr@cdhr.info.