You are a Woman in Saudi Arabia
You cannot drive, you must have a male guardian (relative) who is with you almost always and your rights are extremely limited. Official law often yeilds to tradition, making on the surface rights truely not applicable. You are seperate from unrelated men in all situations possible such as your limited work and social life. You must rely on a driver whom cannot be Saudi and is commenly unfamiliar with the area you live in and the language you speak. Education, segregated. Work, limited. You cannot and will not pick your husband, who can divorce you simply by repeating "I divorce thee" three times. You will lose all rights to see your children again.
More restrictions exist.
You cannot drive, you must have a male guardian (relative) who is with you almost always and your rights are extremely limited. Official law often yeilds to tradition, making on the surface rights truely not applicable. You are seperate from unrelated men in all situations possible such as your limited work and social life. You must rely on a driver whom cannot be Saudi and is commenly unfamiliar with the area you live in and the language you speak. Education, segregated. Work, limited. You cannot and will not pick your husband, who can divorce you simply by repeating "I divorce thee" three times. You will lose all rights to see your children again.
More restrictions exist.
Why now?
In the 1980s, Saudi Arabia experienced a dramatic increase in conservativity. Older women remember being able to go without veils unscolded and socialize with unrelated men. Eventually, however, there was a change. Conservative Islamist movements increased in popularity and power, religous police were instated and school curriculim was changed to meet the strict values of Islam. It has been said that this change was made becasue of the increasing westernization that seemed to require a change.
In the 1980s, Saudi Arabia experienced a dramatic increase in conservativity. Older women remember being able to go without veils unscolded and socialize with unrelated men. Eventually, however, there was a change. Conservative Islamist movements increased in popularity and power, religous police were instated and school curriculim was changed to meet the strict values of Islam. It has been said that this change was made becasue of the increasing westernization that seemed to require a change.