"The Male Guardianship Law in Saudi Arabia."

While it is true that Saudi women have been finally given the right to drive, yet the most oppressive law still remains on the books against them. The Male Guardianship Law still keeps Saudi women in chains and while there seems to be a movement for reform in the kingdom, the movement needs to seriously address this most oppressive law! The following article is adapted from my new book, "Broken yet beautiful: Rising up from their ashes."   My book is listed on Amazon.com

     

      On Sunday June 24, 2018, the world witnessed an historic milestone take place in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. After decades of protests, the driving ban against women was finally lifted and for the first time now, women can legally be issued driver’s licenses and sit proudly behind the wheel of a car without going to jail again. While this is a major, historic accomplishment in a nation hostile to the rights of women, still it is a very long road ahead for women to finally experience true freedom. Most every Saudi woman will tell you that until the Male Guardianship Law is finally repealed, they will still be under the domination of a man.

        Before explaining the restrictions on women because of the Male Guardianship law, I want to first educate you on a little of the history of Saudi Arabia and a form of Islam known as Wahhabism. Wahhabism was born through a radical 18th century Muslim reform movement. The purification of Islam took place through the efforts of Muhammad ibn al-Wahabband and was formally adopted by the Saudi Family in 1744.

        Members of Wahhabism call themselves Unitarians with a strong emphasis on the absolute oneness of God (Tawhid). They reject the practice of visiting tombs, venerating saints, advocating a return to the original teachings of Islam incorporated in both the Quran and Hadith. They also stress a literal belief in the Quran and the establishment of a Muslim State basely sole on Sharia Law.

        The Wahhabis occupied Mecca and Medina at the end of the 18^th century, bringing everything under their control. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was created in 1932, assuring the religious and political dominance of Wahhabism. Many of the sites associated with the early history of Islam, (homes, graves or companions of Muhammed) were demolished in order to purify the holy religion.

        Both Britain and the United States subsidized Saudi Arabia in 1945 right after World war II and enabled them to join the United Nations. While the driving ban has been lifted, more than likely for economic reason rather than women’s rights, there is still a great chasm for females to cross until they have obtained equal rights. The rules for the Male guardianship Law still prohibits so much of women’s freedoms despite a few glimpses of hope on the horizon.

        In 2015, women were able to cast ballots for the first time during municipal elections but couldn’t speak to male voters or couldn’t have men and women mixing in their campaign offices. The late King Abdullah issued a decree in 2011 that gave women the vote and two years later, ordered 20% of seats in consultative council to be set aside for women.

        In 2015, there were more Saudi women studying in universities than men and a few years earlier in 2012, Saudi Arabia sent two women to the Olympics.

                                             

What Saudi women cannot do.

1)   Saudi women cannot divorce, travel, get a job or have surgery first without permission from their male guardians.

2)   Saudi women cannot mix freely with members of the opposite sex.

1.     In 2013, authorities ordered shops that employ both men and women to build “separation walls,” to prevent sexes from co-mingling.

3)   Saudi women cannot appear in public without wearing a full length black abaya, which is supposed to protect a woman’s modesty in public.

4)   Saudi women cannot conduct certain businesses without a male sponsor. If a woman wants to own her own business, she has to call at least two men, who can testify of her character in order to have a loan approval or a license.

5)    Saudi women cannot apply for a national identification card or passport.

6)   Saudi women cannot eat at restaurants that don’t have a separated designated family section. Women are also required to use a separate entrance from men.

7)   Saudi Women cannot retain custody of their children in a divorce.

8)   Saudi women cannot get a fair hearing in court. (Surah 2:282) The Quran teaches that their testimony is only worth half that of a man’s

9)   Saudi women cannot receive an equal inheritance

                                                                

        In April of 2017, The United Nations elected officials from Saudi Arabia to sit on a commission for women’s rights. This is insulting to the women of Saudi Arabia who are constantly living under the oppressive dictatorship of men. It is absurd that a group of men sit on a panel that supposedly promotes women’s rights, shaping global standards on gender equality and empowerment of women.

UN watch director, Hillel Neuer rightly points out,

“Every Saudi woman must have a male guardian who makes all critical decisions on her behalf, controlling a woman’s life from birth to death. Electing Saudi Arabia to protect women’s rights is like electing an arsonist to become the town fire chief!”  The panel will serve a four-year term from April 24, 2017 until April 2021.