Saudi Arabia and the Path to Political Change: National Dialogue and Civil Society by Mark C. Thompson

Author:Mark C. Thompson [Thompson, Mark C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: International Relations, Political Science, Political Process, General
ISBN: 9780857724076
Google: Rnb3DwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2014-06-16T13:39:07+00:00

Creating more socio-political space

Asharq Alawsat columnist Hussein Shobokshi was fired after writing an article around the time of the Riyadh terrorist attacks in 2003 that imagined a future for women’s rights in the Kingdom. Nowadays, he ‘marvels at how much more open discussions on women’s rights have become since the National dialogue’ and comments ‘that article would not even cause a stir today’.90 Many elite Saudi women agree that there has been some movement on women’s rights. Indeed, compared to the position of Saudi women in 2003 it is possible to see that some progress has been made; women’s rights have improved, albeit slowly. Al Mu’ammar recognizes the need for reform: ‘We cannot have our graduate women in their houses, but how to establish reform is the issue, whether it is in separate or mixed places. We need to make rules for it, which clerics, families and social leaders need.’91 KACND may discuss a lot of important issues, but some believe the institution needs to focus more on women’s rights because discussion at the Madinah National Dialogue was insufficiently daring and these issues also need to be discussed in towns and cities all over the Kingdom.92 Women do not want to be invisible so the dialogue process is important because it gives then a recognized Saudi female voice.93 A member of the majlis al-shura believes the Kingdom must create more space for women and start treating them as citizens and for this to happen there will have to be fundamental changes in education, religious thinking.94 Many Saudis agree with this view thereby demonstrating how the National Dialogue process has developed, but this process may take time even though it is essentially on the right track.95 Admittedly, there are people who feel that these changes and reforms may have an adverse effect on the stability of the Kingdom, but it is likely that the opposite is happening and that in reality the National Dialogue and related societal reform give the Kingdom strength even if the process is not tangible. Although it is not possible to measure the effects of dialogue, according to one participant the current discussion between liberals and conservatives in the media demonstrates that society is moving forward.96

Norah Alfaiz, the first Saudi female minister, has laid the groundwork for other Saudi women to assume future governmental roles. In addition, women are very active and effective participants in many institutions, including the SCCCIA. There are also renowned journalists such as Samar Fatany, Amira Kashgari and Dalal Dia who have championed the cause of greater female socio-political participation in the Kingdom’s affairs for many years. In addition, the public debate surrounding greater women’s access to social services, equal pay and better employment opportunities is said to be supported by many high profile and outspoken Saudi men.97 As discussed earlier, some royal women have also assumed a higher profile, most notably King Abdullah’s influential daughter Princess Adila, who is said to have been behind the decision to appoint Norah Alfaiz to the position of vice-minister.

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