Saudi Arabia is the world’s fifth most dangerous nation for women as their lives are strictly manipulated by male relatives. The conservative kingdom was listed as the second-worst for women after Afghanistan for economic opportunities and discriminatory policies.
Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country in which Islamic law is rigidly enforced. One needs to respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions and must be aware of their actions to make sure that they do not offend, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan or if you plan to visit religious areas.
On the other hand, women’s rights in Saudi Arabia is a disaster as they have to get the green light of their male guardian for every aspect of their life. However, women now relish more opportunities in the workplace. They are permitted to vote and stand in municipal elections.
When 15 girls were killed in Saudi Arabia for not covering their faces properly
The unexpected demise of 15 young girls in the Makkah girls’ school fire that took place in March 2002 will forever be a dark memory. It is heartbreaking to know that innocent girls lost their lives owing to the circumstances that result in their death and their indications.
It was learnt that the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice – Saudi Arabia’s so-called religious police, curbed the schoolgirls from escaping the burning building and obstructed rescue workers from setting foot in the building because all those students were not covered in their abayas and headscarves.
The actions of the religious police triggered massive outrage and censure both inside and outside the nation. Meanwhile, a government inquiry deduced that the educational authorities were held responsible for abandoning fire safety at the school. However, they turned down the allegations that the actions of religious police led to the deaths, irrespective of accounts of eyewitnesses and Civil Defense officers.
“An Arab News team that visited the school yesterday found a large number of abayas (black gowns), shoes and bags left by the girls in the rush to get out of the building following the fire,” a report in Arab News on March 12, 2002 added.