Asharq Alawsat reports that discussion are underway concerning the creation of a Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Saudi Arabia. In one sense, this isn’t a good thing: it tends continues the already exaggerated segregation of women and men. In another sense, though, it does raise the status of women in general and would double the number of women in the Saudi Cabinet. There is no argument, I would think, that women do face different challenges than men, though sometimes a little too much is made of those differences, IMO. Many countries, though not the US, do have ministries dedicated to women’s affairs. The issues facing Saudi women, though, are so different, from those facing Saudi men, often uniquely so, that I believe this proposed ministry is a necessity.
Saudi Looks into Possible Ministry for Women’s Affairs
Iman Al-KhattafDammam, Asharq Al-Awsat- The establishment of a Ministry of Women’s Affairs’ in the Kingdom could soon be a reality, Asharq al Awsat can reveal.
Sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that this proposal has been brought to the attention of higher authorities lately, after it was recommended in a study commissioned by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce. The proposal is expected to initiate a qualitative shift for Saudi women, and will perhaps mark a turning point between the period before the Ministry, and the future.
The proposal was revealed by Dr Basmah Umayr, the Executive Director of Al-Sayyidah Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid Center in the Jeddah Chamber, without giving a timeframe for its implementation. She said that the Women’s Ministry would contribute to “the transportation of women to [the level] of decision-making”. When asked about the problem of overlapping jurisdiction with other groups and ministries involved in providing services for women, she denied that this would be the case. “There will be joint objectives, with each group contributing according to its specialty,” she said.
Umayr said there were predominantly two contrasting opinions regarding the proposed ministry. One view opposes the proposal, on the grounds that it would in fact differentiate women from the rest of society. The other view supports the proposal, believing that the ministry would emphasize that women are now able to achieve the positions they previously hoped for. “Globally, we found upon studying the situation that many developed countries still reserve a ministry for women,” she said. “Women’s affairs are limitless, and there are many issues related to them.”
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September:28:2010 - 14:19
Sparky channeling coming through:
OMMMMMMMMM
Pretentious show off stupid non halal meat. How can we further segregate women in this society, mistake waste of money may provide jobs don’t do it. You will hate it. crap crap Not my problem if you want do it crapcrap you will hate it mark these words
September:28:2010 - 16:45
Canada has a Ministry for the Status of Women and has had since the Trudeau years (’70′s), because women’s rights and issues were lagging; and it continues to be deemed necessary. The Ministry can give women politicians a boost into other portfolios, and has done some good work in speaking up for women’s issues, women’s place in the workforce, human rights, women in politics, etc.
I think it is a good idea to have one in Saudi–in the hopes it would be given some credence and have some effectiveness.
In Iran women have separate ministries, which advance women in a way, eg. Ministry of Women’s Health vs Ministry of Men’s Health. Each has a separate and gender segregated bureaucracy just as there are his and her medical schools. This does give women a chance to advance career wise within the segregated system rather than be subordinate to the men in a single system (which is still what happens in most governments).
September:28:2010 - 23:43
Thanks for the info. Chiara…
I am against the word Ministry. Association o.k. or any other word. I just imagine more red tape for women and ignorant men saying, “GO to the Ministry of Women’s affairs” for every issue whether or not that is what it is intended.
I would rather see K.S.A. women try to gain ground in different areas. I want to see them demanding to be treated as human being and not segregated into “women’s affairs”. How about “human affairs”. If they buy into this idea now, I think they will regret it later.
September:29:2010 - 00:58
Sparky–You are welcome. The idea in other places has been that the Ministry is pro-active, and broadly based. I understand your point, and in some ways we are discussing 2 general approaches within feminism, which either emphasize or de-emphasize gender distinctiveness. There is probably room for a Ministry of Human Rights and one of the Status of Women within the society. Making it a ministry gives it political backing, and increases women’s profile in government.
September:29:2010 - 09:48
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October:07:2010 - 11:38
Here is a Saudi woman journalist’s take on the Ministry
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sabria-jawhar/for-saudis-a-small-step-t_b_750412.html