Women in Mass Media: Women's Rights in Saudi Arabia

Newspapers, televisions and radios are all different forms of communication for people to hear impactful stories from all around the world, some news more impactful than others. A broadcast covers many topics such as politics, entertainment, 3rd world countries and sports. Every week, thousands of reports are published that touches the hearts of millions of people around the globe.

In more significant news, Saudi Arabia is one of the remaining few countries in the world with an absolute monarchy system of government. During the late 20th and early 21st century women rights in Saudi Arabia were extremely limited due to the strict Sharia law in place. The latest in Saudi Arabia news, female drivers stage protest outside Saudi Embassy in London as detention of women’s rights activist reaches 100 days behind bars without any set court dates. Women are fighting for rights to drive a motor vehicle, but the government is silencing them by detaining multiple women. Activist in Saudi Arabia are trying to crackdown on freedom of expression, it has been 100 days since three women have been imprisoned without any legal representation. On June 15th, Saudi Arabia finally lifted the ban of women drivers and have also granted 10 women their licenses without releasing those imprisoned for fighting against the justice system. The name of the protest is called “Beep for Freedom” people continuously beeped their horns outside of the embassy to show support for women.

“We know the real drivers of change in Saudi are these women activists, but the government is silencing them and putting them behind bars. We are seeing through this sham. It is laughable the government celebrates lifting the driving ban on 24 June when on 15 May they arrested the three women who campaigned against the ban.”

Arabian citizens are now looking towards British government to speak publicly about the condemned arrest and pressure the Saudi Arabia government to release those women that are being detained for speaking their minds about human rights. The women could be charged by the countries’ notorious court that in the past is known to give out harsh sentences and death penalties. Women in Arabia want everyone to longer look the other way and support human rights for equality to all. The United States, state department issued a statement that they are aware of the cases and continues to be deeply concerned by the dentition of activist in Saudi Arabia.

Unfortunately, in this day in history, women are still getting the short end of the stick including jobs, rights and treatment. Women do not receive the same opportunity as men, not just in Saudi Arabia but everywhere around the world. Discrimination is not just about race it is also about putting genders in a category as well.