Arab News runs this piece on how Saudi women are seeking governmental and legal support in their efforts to end spousal abuse. This article mentions ‘spousal rape’, the first time I’ve seen it raised in a Saudi medium. The paper only cites on-line polling, not really worth much at all, but the fact that any Saudi women chose to take part in it is a milestone in itself.

I’ll be interested to see whether this becomes a social cause, garnering public support, of if the issue is still too shameful to be addressed effectively.

Outlaw Marital Abuse, Demand Saudi Women
Najah Alosaimi, Arab News

RIYADH, 10 April 2007 — Saudi courts have recently seen a number of cases in which women have demanded divorces saying they have been subject to marital rape and unwanted sexual activities by their partners.

As sex continues to remain a taboo subject in the Kingdom’s conservative society, some social activists believe that tribal traditions prevent women from coming out in the open and reporting sexual assaults.

An Internet poll conducted by a local newspaper showed that 42 percent of married Saudi men say they do not have sexual problems. Meanwhile, 93 percent of married women surveyed said they were experiencing sexual problems.

“Saudi society admits the existence of partner rape. A comprehensive survey of Saudi society about the issue and how serious it is has not yet been conducted,” Dr. Madeha Al-Ajroosh, a woman activist and psychologist, told Arab News.

“It’s difficult to carry out any scientific survey, as few women are willing to open up and discuss their sexual lives,” she added….