A 32 years old Manal Al Sharif She started a Facebook campaigns called âteach me how to drive so I can protect myselfâ, Manal Al Sharif was a Saudi online activist who has been one of the main organizers of the movement sweeping across the Kingdom to allow women to drive.
As a result, she was arrested because she was one who helped start a women’s right to drive campaign and posted a video of herself driving around her city. Since the establishment of Saudi Arabia in 1932, it has remained a conservative country, which still restricts women from driving.
Recently, the government of Saudi Arabia has been considering altering the laws pertaining to women driving cars; however, no action has yet been taken. Driving is not the first or the most important issue regarding women in Saudi Arabia.
However, because Saudi Arabian women are an important part of society, they deserve equal rights. Their inability to drive prohibits the freedoms that equality brings. Therefore, Saudi women should be allowed to drive.
The main reasons why Saudi women should not be allowed to drive are both cultural and economical. The biggest issue concerning Saudi Arabians is a possible erosion of their culture. People speculate that Saudi Arabia will become westernized. Critics believe that allowing women to drive would be the first step towards a gradual erosion of the kingdoms modesty laws.
A woman would have to remove the traditional abaya robe to get a clear view behind the wheel (Lawson 2011). The other concerns are related to the large taxi companies that employ many people. If women were to drive the demand for taxi service would decline (Lawson 2011).
The people who own taxi companies pressure the Saudi government to prevent women from driving, so they can keep a high rate of male employment. In my opinion, this issue is an important to many Saudi people who own taxi. Therefore, these people are not agreeing to give women right to driver.
On the contrary, there are also major reasons why Saudi women should be allowed to drive. First of all, women deserve equal rights as men because women are an important part of the workforce and the family. Magali Rheault, the author of this article regarding this topic, has surveyed that Saudi women represent 31% of professional and technical workers (Rheault, 2007).
Women are not only capable of doing many of the same jobs as men, they are an integral part of work force. Because the majority of Saudi Arabian citizens are in concord with allowing women to drive, the Saudi government is considering altering the laws regarding women.
According to a Gallup Pall survey, 66 % of Saudi women and 55% of Saudi men agree that women should be allowed to drive a car by themselves (Rheault, 2007).However, this survey did not cover all of Saudi Arabian citizens. The second issue pertains to the current high employment of taxi drivers.
The people who own taxi companies pressure the government to prevent women from driving, so they can keep a high rate of employment (Lawson 2011). If women drive the demand for taxi drivers will decline. In my estimation, if Saudi women allowed to drive, than can help my countryâs economical and reduces the traffic.
Still, today in Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to have their own driver license, nor are they permitted to drive their own cars at any place or at any time. For example, Manal Al-Shariefâs concern, she was arrested because she helped start a women’s right to drive campaign.
Although, the issue at hand is directed towards whether or not women should drive, the real issue is whether Saudi Arabians are willing to provide equality for women.
Because Saudi women are an important part of society, they deserve equal rights, in addition, there are signs that the people of Saudi Arabia are ready to move in the direction of equality for women. The first step towards equality is the freedom to drive.
For instance, it is well-known that among the Arabs, young boys have more privileges in comparison with the girls. From the early childhood, the parents suggest an idea to their children (of course boys) that they are better than females and have much more rights. And on the contrary, girls have more obligations, while boys are respected all the time.
Another point which is to be taken into consideration concerns with separate study. One more issue is related to the fact the woman is still considered to be maidservant and no more. The above-mentioned points are recognized to be the three main factors which influence the womanâs desire to marry. The problem of marriage which exists in the Arab world is considered to be the burning problem of the Arab society. For instance, most of women prefer to be âthe old maidsâ than to marry an Arab man.
What are the things that Saudi women afraid? I would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is the so-called gender inequality which impacts psychological problems of most of Saudi women. I would like to draw your attention to Dankowitzâs article where a female Saudi activist and writer Wajeha al-Huwaider cites one of Saudi women:
- I’m afraid of the violence of the fanatics and ignoramuses in my country;
- I’m afraid my husband will divorce me and I will find myself defenseless;
- I’m afraid my husband will punish me and take another wife…;
- I’m afraid of my father’s wrath and violence;
- I’m afraid of my brothers’ hold [over me], and their domination [of me];
- I’m afraid that my guardian will take all meaning in life away from me;
- I’m afraid that my sons will be angry with me and become embittered against me (1).
So, it is quite obvious that Saudi women know they have no rights at all; however, they are afraid of regime and canât fight for their rights:
- I’m afraid of losing my good name, and then of not being able to find someone who wants to marry me…;
- I’m afraid for my future and the future of my daughters and children;
- I’m afraid of hurting my parents;
- Iâm afraid that if I do this, my family and tribe will see it as shameful and be angry with me;
- I’m afraid of losing everything I have, that I have built over the years…
- I’m afraid of everything around me (1).
It is evident that Saudi women canât protect themselves. There is no matter whether a woman is rich and has a high status. The notions of high status and self-defense are not relevant at all.
Another point I would like to discuss is related to the tribal character of the Arabian family. Thus, Doumatoâs says:
Because tribal groups are politically dominant in Saudi Arabia and tribal culture is an important referent for Saudi society, the idea of tribal honor certainly plays some role in the continuing appeal of sex segregation and rules controlling women. The tribal explanation hoes just so far, however (Doumato 27).
So, it is the tribal character which impacts on Saudi womenâs fear. However, one should take into consideration that Arabian strong society can not be build if Saudi womenâs rights are neglected.
Works Cited
Dankowitz, A. Memri. “Saudi Writer and Journalist Wajeha Al-Huwaider Fights for Womenâs Rights”. The Middle East Media Research Institute.28 Dec. 2008. Web.07 Nov. 2011.
Doumato, Eleanor Abdella. Getting God’s Ear: Women, Islam, and Healing in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. New York: Columbia University Press, 2000. Print.
Lawson, Duncan. “Saudi Media: Expat Taxi Drivers Commit Majority of Crime”. 17 Feb. 2011. Web.
Rheault, Magali. “Saudi Arabia: Majorities Support Womenâs Rights”. 21 Dec. 2007. Web.