Saudi Women Give Voice to Taboo Issues on TV

Eight Saudi women appeared on a groundbreaking television program this week, speaking on subjects that have until now been taboo for them, such as the right to drive, unemployment and political participation among women.

Wearing headscarves of red, blue and yellow -- instead of traditional black -- the participants complained about their lack of jobs, opportunities and public voice in this conservative kingdom, where women have less freedom than in many other Muslim nations.

“We are handicapped in terms of personal freedom. We even need permission from a male guardian to get our identification papers,” pediatrician Suad Jaber said on the program, “Saudi Women Speak Out.”

The show is part of an opening-up of Saudi media after terrorist attacks in May on foreigners’ housing compounds in the capital, Riyadh, and a deadly gun battle between Islamic militants and police in the holy city of Mecca this month. The attacks have deeply disturbed the country and forced the government to allow greater freedom in the media.

Siham Fatani, a professor of English at King Abdulaziz University in Jidda, said Thursday that the television program was unprecedented.

“This was something new,” Fatani said. “It never happened before. It was the first time Saudi women were given a chance to give their opinion publicly like that. Not everyone reads the papers, but everyone watches television.”

Abeer Mishkhas, a newspaper columnist, said the liberalization is part of an effort by the Saudi government to improve its image abroad. “Saudi Arabia is trying to show the world that there’s more to us than terrorism and religion,” said Mishkhas, a female editor at the Arab News.

Under the country’s strict interpretation of Islam, Saudi women are not allowed to drive, travel without permission of a male relative, work alongside men or appear in public unveiled.

“Driving is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity,” Samar Fatani, who is not related to the English professor, said on the show. “Some people have a hard time making ends meet and have to borrow money to afford drivers.”

Maha Fitaihi, a social worker, criticized the absence of women on the Shura Council, a government-appointed body that advises the king and is the closest thing to a Saudi parliament.

“There are no women in the consultative council or even in the government’s discussions about the employment of women,” Fitaihi complained.

Since the show aired Wednesday, and again Thursday, the phones of the participants have not stopped ringing. Samar Fatani said she received many calls from women who criticized those on the show for not being more outspoken.

The show aired on the Saudi-owned satellite channel Orbit. For days beforehand, women publicized it by word of mouth and text messages on cell phones.

Fitaihi said there were many important issues the show did not cover, such as domestic violence and divorce laws. “I hope we have more shows like this. We need to be able to speak out and be heard,” she said.