Saudi woman's right to drive Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Saudi woman's right to drive - Research Paper Example In Saudi Arabia, women are seen as minors, legally. They must seek permission from men on matters concerning education, healthcare, and employment. Women in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to drive or be seen driving in public. Saudi Arabia ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (C.E.D.W.A), but still women face discrimination. The government ratified the convention saying that in case of contradiction between the Islamic law and the convention, then the Islamic law would overrule the convention. It is crucial, while addressing these issues to understand the religious and cultural complexities that exist in Saudi Arabia (Abbass, p. 20). In Saudi Arabia, religious and cultural claims function as justifications for the oppression of women. As the Saudi Arabian women went out to protest the oppression, various philosophical theories could be observed; functionalism, conflict and symbolic interaction. In Saudi Arabia, women rights exist under religion and customs. In this region, the separation of women and honor is central to life. All women in Saudi Arabia have male guardians. This country prohibits women driving. Manal al-Sharif started a Women’s Right to Drive movement in 2011. She is a women’s right activist who filmed herself drive and posted the footage on popular media. Because of this, she was detained but later released and rearrested for deviance.