| Summary: | Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) === There are significant social and policy changes that have been made in Saudi
Arabia. Some of these changes are relevant to women’s lives. The changes related to the
male guardianship system are crucial. Saudi women are restricted by the male dominant
culture and face obstacles that hold them accountable to their male guardians. The male
guardianship system is tied to heritage, culture, and traditionally ingrained mindsets. This
exploratory qualitative study provided a more comprehensive understanding of women’s
narratives by focusing on the deep meaning about the effects of the male guardianship
system on women’s lives in Saudi Arabia.
Sixteen women were interviewed. The finding found that the majority of Saudi
women did not perceive the guardianship system as protective or helping women by any
means and many had questions about its purpose and relevance. Regarding the legal
concept, most women were ambivalent because of recent policy reforms that the
government had promised, yet had not implemented it when the data was collected. The
religious beliefs surrounding the male guardianship system also varied according to
which religious interpretation women and their families followed. The traditional beliefs
of the male guardianship system differed among women due to social values which
differed from one family to another.
This study showed the persistent need to raise awareness among women and men
to deconstruct the Saudi culture and reshape the values and norms where women can be
respected as individuals so that they could govern their own lives. The findings also
showed that the new younger generation in Saudi Arabia are more willing to challenge
the Saudi culture and tradition for a better future. They are inspired by the Saudi vision
2030 and the social changes that took place a few years ago to benefit women, extending
work opportunities, education, enabling women to do government paperwork themselves,
and allowing women to drive and travel without male permission. All these reforms are
promising for a better future, but more work, more women voices, and more discussion is
needed. === 2022-08-17
|
|---|
