After Egypt: Saudi women want their rights

Euphoria in the Arab world after events in Egypt is still going strong and now Saudi women want to replicate the same in their country- at least when it comes to women’s rights.

A quiet demand for change is gathering support online-through Facebook and Twitter. #Saudiwomenrevolution is building up support among the online community for more rights and freedom for  women who are legally treated as a “household property” .

Eman Al Nafjan, a mom and University student, who blogs at Saudiwoman’s Weblog says that the Twitter campaign is much needed as contributes to ongoing debate over women and child rights in the country.

“There is some good news though. A group of Saudi women have started a hashtag on Twitter #Saudiwomenrevolution and there were some heated debates on there. There was also a group of men and women who tried to put down the whole cause, claiming that Saudi women are lucky and honored. Also that calling for women rights is a Western conspiracy to corrupt Muslim women. Another recurrent theme with the naysayers is accusations that anyone calling for women rights has to have come from an abused background, in other words, trying to shame women into quiet.”

At Facebook, activists have started “Saudi Women Revolution” page and it already has 366 supporters.

But will the Saudi monarchy, so entrenched in traditions, allow any significant change?  They better prepare because the Saudi women are not only organizing online, they are now coming out on the streets too with their demand.

According to The Washington Post,

“About 40 women staged a rare demonstration in the Saudi capital Saturday, demanding the release of prisoners being held without trial as part of the kingdom’s efforts to fight al-Qaeda insurgents, activists said.”

Winds of change in the Arab world will certainly knock out few more regimes before it finally clams down.

Disclaimer: This post was written by a Feministing Community user and does not necessarily reflect the views of any Feministing columnist, editor, or executive director.

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