APA Research Paper

Saudi Women's Rights

Introduction

The population of Saudi Arabia is consisted of nomadic or semi-nomadic peoples. This town is practicing the Muslim religion, and her holy city is Mecca. In Mecca, the shrine the Kaaba (house of Allah) is situated (Arebi, 1994, 119). There are different social groups in Saudi Arabia and the population is not much homogeneous and the features and skin color vary by regions. Although Saudi Arabia is one of the exporters of oil in the world and has sufficient resources for maintaining the good condition of an entire population (Arebi, 1994, 99). Apart from her resources, the "quality life" of Arab citizens is very low and women suffer from abuse and mistreatment for ages (Wayne, 2008).

The Saudi population's economic situation is bad enough; the poverty is due to mismanagement and distribution of wealth derived from oil. The investments by the government in the social development are very scarce. This creates a stagnant economy and plunge the Arab people in great poverty (Arebi, 1994, 99). The infant mortality rate is 31 children per thousand live births, there are 150 doctors per 100,000 inhabitants, life expectancy is around 69 years, illiteracy exceeds 30% and water satisfies to the 87% people of the population. For Saudi Arabia, other challenges are the rapid growth of the population, and the challenge of unemployment of youngsters. In recent years, the situation has improved somewhat (Arebi, 1994, 119). The significant increase in financial resources which is generated by the expansion of oil exploration has improved the social situation, like health programs have spread, which helps in declining the infant mortality rate, and increased life expectancy.

Saudi Women' Rights

Female rights are sort of neglected in Saudi Arabia when it comes to working, traveling, and driving. Job positions are offered in a considerably bigger variety to men than women. Although both females and males get the same education, or sometimes females have higher degrees than men. Yet, male workers are always preferable for Jobs. As to traveling, females aren't allowed to travel without the approval of her male guardian, whether he was a husband, brother, or a father. The most important part that is left out in women's rights is driving. In the whole country of Saudi Arabia, females are not allowed to drive anywhere (Rasheed, 2008).

Saudi women and the entire Arabian Peninsula have fewer rights than men. For Example, in Saudi Arabia it is very difficult for a woman to obtain a passport without her husband's authorization, or she can go out if it is accompanied by an adult male, father, brother, or husband. They are not treated well as the male-doctors cannot touch the female patients (Arebi, 1994, 99). Women cannot roam around with their husbands or legal relative with bare head. It is a society which maintains “strictly" sex segregation (Arebi, 1994, 119). A woman can ask for divorce only in few cases, for example, abuse by husband, or in case of negligence.

When it comes to marriage, the degree to which a woman participates ...