Keys to the Kingdom: The slow rise of Saudi women

http://www.test.bbc.com/capital/story/20150408-slow-gains-for-saudi-women



This BBC article discusses the issue of Gender Equality in Saudi Arabia.  But, it examines a rare glimmer of light in the often criticised Middle Eastern nation.  According to the Saudi Ministry of Labour, the number of Saudi women working in the private sector grew from just 55,000 in 2010 to 454,000 by the end of 2013.  This level of growth is remarkable in this conservative nation, where for decades strict laws kept women out of the workforce.  These laws have been gradually scaled back in recent years by a series of reforms instituted by the recently deceased King Abdullah.  The late King instituted a policy of "Saudization" about a decade ago.  This plan was an attempt to lower high domestic unemployment rates and to decrease the Kingdom's heavy reliance on foreign contractors. It essentially required businesses to hire Saudi employees, in a manner similar to the Affirmative Action programs institued in the United States.  The easing of rules regarding women in the workplace, in addition to this quota sysetm has had an obvious impact.

Obviously, this equates to a "good start" by our standards.  But there is oviously a long way to go. While 60% of college graduates in Saudi Arabia are women, only around 15% of women in the Kingdom hold jobs.  There remain significant obstacles preventing the levelling of the playing field. Women in the Kingdom still must be granted permission to work by their male guardian.  And women are still not permitted to drive in Saudi, which creates transportation problems for those who cannot afford a driver.  As an expatriate currently working in the Kingdom, and who previously worked in Saudi about 8 years ago, I have noticed a large increase in the number of women in the workplace.  I must admit, it has been fascinating to watch this incredibly conservative culture make an actually perceptible change.  Hopefully, in time, stories of progress like this will begin to outnumber the many that highlight the Kingdom's many social shortcomings.  But cultural changes time.  Most especially here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  

Afghan Woman Lynched By a Mob

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32014077


This article discusses the violent death of an Afghan woman named Farkhunda.  The woman, a religious scholar, was arguing with a mullah about his selling charms to women at a shrine.  As their argument escalated, the mullah accused Farkhunda of burning the Koran.  This statement was overheard by others nearby, who then took it upon themselves to beat her, strike her with bats, stomp her, run her over with a car, drag her now lifeless body behind a car, and then burn her body in a ditch.  18 people have been arrested for the murder, and 13 police officers have been suspended for failing to control the situation (earlier reports claimed that the police did nothing to dissuade the mob from their attack.)  The incident has received international attention, and has sparked protests across Afghanistan.  At her funeral, Farkhunda's body was carried by noted Afghani Women's Rights activists.

This story demonstrates just how tenuous the idea of Women's Rights remains in Afghanistan. American forces may have liberated the country from the Taliban, but the cultural beliefs that allowed and indeed welcomed the Taliban and their strict interpretation of Islam to previously rule the nation obviously still thrive.  Similar to the United States "implementing" democracy in foreign nations whose governments we topple, spreading Western ideas about Women's Rights (while noble) is also fraught with disaster for the individuals left to live with these new ideas.  I fear we may have started yet another fire, and that this time, an innocent woman was literally burned by it.


Farakhunda's ashes...


Angry Protests.

Kuwait clamps down on Gulf critics

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32018785



This BBC article highlights the plight of a Kuwaiti satirist named Muhammad al-Aimi, who was recently detained by Kuwaiti State Security in response to a Twitter Post.  al-Aimi, who posts under the name Abo Asam, has 151 thousand followers on the social media site.  In late January, he was pulled over by five cars and was handcuffed, blindfolded, and taken away by more than ten armed men. Not a stranger to being detained for his critical posts concerning religious and political figures, this event was different in that he was arrested for comments he had posted criticizing Saudi Arabian officials.  The charges were offending the Saudi royal family and harming the image of human rights in Saudi Arabia. While it is not uncommon for Arab states to police their citizens in regard to political activism against the nation, it is a new trend recently instituted by Kuwait to police its citizens that make critical comments about the political leaders of neighboring countries.  According to a Kuwaiti official, citizens' rights remain "protected and guaranteed."  But, he then adds this caveat, "What is the point of democracy and freedom if you do not have security?"  People often debate "civil liberties versus security."  But it seems the Kuwaiti State Security have taken this debate to a new, more dubious level.    

Kerry Says U.S. May Negotiate With Assad

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/03/15/kerry-says-u-s-may-negotiate-with-assad.html

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's statements made some headlines this week.  Kerry announced the U.S. may negotiate with Syrian president Bashar al Assad to end the now five year old civil war in Syria.  This comment shows a change in stance by the United States regarding al Assad. Previously, all U.S. Statements were quite adamant in stating Assad must go.  Kerry's statement comes on the heels of a statement by CIA director John Brennan that a collapse of the Syrian government would create a danger of Islamic Extremist groups, namely IS, of seizing power.

These comments show the Utilitarian nature of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.  This foreign policy seems to measure the greater good in its decisions.  Unfortunately, the United States determination of what this greater good actually is is seemingly as nebulous and quick to change as the political theater in the region.  In this case, the "Pros and Cons" list has clearly evolved.  Initially, Assad needed to be removed as he was killing peaceful protesters.  The greater good seemed to involve the suffering Syrian people.  Now, as the threat of IS grows, the greater good has shifted to one of stabilization.  Suddenly, the enemy has become the enemy of my enemy, and this is apparently an entirely different proposition.  

Detained Saudi Blogger's Second Round of Flogging Postponed

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31061125

This article discusses the plight of Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi.  In 2012, Badawi was arrested and charged with "insulting Islam through electronic channels" and "going beyond the realm of obedience."  Badawi established the Liberal Saudi Network in 2008.  This was an online forum that encouraged debate on religious and political matters.  Badawi was cleared of charges of "Apostasy" and the death sentence that charge carried with it.  The charges he was found guilty of carry a sentence of 1000 lashes and 10 years imprisonment for insulting Islam.  His first of twenty rounds of lashing was carried out early last month.

This story relates in several ways to the information in our text.  First, Saudi Arabia represents a very clear example of the "connection between the social life of the culture, and its religion" (Rosenstand, 2013, p.16).  This story has gathered international condemnation and drawn attention to the reality of Saudi Arabia.  People in the West are unused to a religious government controlling social discourse with such a heavy hand.  As Rosenstand (2013) states, "philosophical investigation of moral issues must involve more than faith in a religious authority" (p. 17).  The reality, as demonstrated in this story, is that the ethical investigation process that we have grown accustomed to in the West is illegal in this part of the world.

Rosenstand, N. (2013). The Moral of the Story, An Introduction to Ethics, 7th Edition. New York, NY: McGraw- Hill.