From: auwaisheg@gcc-sg.org
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 10:36:48 +0300
Dear List:
Thanks to Najla for sharing the article (Women's business: Saudi women
ask if economic development, not political rights, holds
the key to liberation By Charles A. Radin, Globe Staff | October 3,
2004). I found it informative, despite the fact that the journalist did
not seem to have special expertise on Saudi Arabia, just common sense.
The sentiments expressed by some in the article certainly reflect those
of a good number of Saudis.
However, I think that the article misses the mark on at least three
points:
1.The article says:
"Virtually no reliable statistics are available about domestic issues in
Saudi Arabia, so no one knows exactly how many women are working or are
getting higher education."
In fact, had the journalist dug a little bit, he would have found fairly
reliable figures for women getting higher education (a lot), and for
employed women (very few).
2.The article quotes one businesswoman as saying, "First I ask for
the right of men to vote. Then I will ask for women," referring to Saudi
Arabia's upcoming, first-ever local elections. But such a view is based
on a false dichotomy: hat somehow women's participation in elections
would be at the expense of their male compatriots. In fact, at this
stage of political development in Saudi Arabia, voting by men and women
could strengthen both groups simultaneously. The current contest is
between citizens in general and the government, which like most
governments would like to keep all authority in its own hands unless it
has no other choice. Whether in regard to elections or other political
rights, Saudi men and women could work as a coalition to secure some
measure of popular participation. Both men and women stand to lose if
they let the struggle to secure political rights be left to men
exclusively. Women especially would lose if they let their brethren get
their rights first. As has happened in other countries, men may not be
so eager to share their newly found power, if they get that far.
3.The title of the piece "Saudi women ask if economic development,
not political rights, holds the key to liberation" employs another
tired, false dichotomy between economic and political rights. The issue
has been debated for decades within the human rights community, but the
consensus has been that no tradeoff between these two rights categories
is necessary; they in fact enforce each other. Political rights enable
citizens to seek and enjoy economic rights, while economic rights put
substance to political rights. In most Arab countries, a measure of
both is needed simultaneously. For example, freedom of expression and
the right to form associations are instrumental to enable citizens to
seek economic justice. At the same time, and unless some measure of
economic needs are provided, citizens' ability to demand political
rights is limited.
Thanks again for sharing the article,
Abdel Aziz
Dr. Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg
Minister Plenipotentiary
Director - Economic Integration Department
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
P.O. Box 7153
Riyadh 11462
Saudi Arabia
Email: