Human Rights in Saudi Arabia: Specifically Women's Rights

Izabella Curtis 

Mr. Roddy & Mr. Zhou

Global Politics and Historical Contexts

30 September 2020


Human Rights in Saudi Arabia: Specifically Women's Rights

        Women's Rights is an issue I care deeply about, as well as gender equality. To be completely honest I mostly keep in touch with Western issues involving these topics. Although last year, I sat in on a presentation Cricket did about Saudi Arabia's women's rights. I thought that this would be a perfect opportunity to do further research about Women's Rights in a different culture. 

        There are 10 reasons why a woman from Saudi Arabia would flee her home country. 1. Saudi Women cannot apply for passports. Saudi Women are not allowed to travel to a different country unless they have permission from their male guardian, male guardians can seek court and request the women return to the home. 2. Saudi Women are unable to freely marry, their male guardian is required to give permission to the women. The male guardian is required to sign the marriage contract. There is also no age limit to marriage, there are cases of rape reports from brides as young as 8. 3. Over 35% of Saudi Women experience domestic violence. Women who attempt to leave a violent situation can be arrested and returned to the family, women are also unable to go to any shelters. 4. Many cases of employment discrimination towards Saudi Women. 5. Health care discrimination. 6. women have no right to divorce, inheritance, and child custody.  7. women may transfer legal guardianship to other men in her family although this a difficult process. 8. when reliest out of prison women must be held in the custody of a male. 9. Women cannot study abroad while men can. 10. political repression!!

        Universal: Saudi Arabia Women are stripped from Universal Human Rights, their discrimination is strictly based on their gender. Because of Saudi Arabia's main religion, women have no power in the country. I mean no power AT ALL! They have no voice in their culture and are have basic needs stripped from them. Unable to work meaning unable to provided which results in women being heavily dependent on their male guardian. 

        Inalienable: Saudi Women are stripped from Inalienable Rights because they are required to have a male guardian. Male guardians have complete control over Saudi women, from who they marry to how they live their lives. Meaning, they are unable to travel without a male guardian's permission and the male can go to court and request that she imminently return home.   

        Indivisible: Saudi Women are not equal to Saudi Men. Saudi men can drive, have multiple wives, study abroad, travel, gain complete custody of children, have control over the entire household while Saudi is required by law to have a male guardian to sign off on anything they want to do. 

        Interdependent: Saudi Arabia Women are stripped from Interdependent rights because women are unable to have a voice in their community and in their culture. Women can be detained by a police officer with no charge because they spoke up or didn't have a male guardian with them. 

        The situation in Saudi Arabia is unique, although women have very little rights and power in the country, in the city, and even in marriage. The fight is continuous for equal rights and freedom of speech for women and so much more. It is important more people know about women's rights in Saudi Arabia and to help advise their problems!


Thank you :)




https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/01/30/saudi-arabia-10-reasons-why-women-flee#

        


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