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Increase in Saudi females fleeing social oppression

February 19, 2019 at 9:58 am

The number of women fleeing Saudi as a result of the oppression practice against them by their families is on the increase, Masr Al-Arabia reported yesterday.

The news site reported that in a television programme, veteran Saudi journalist Daud Al-Shiryan discussed the issue with two women who fled to London.

Reery, whose name was changed to protect her identity, said she fled because she was being repeatedly raped by her brother. This had gone on since she was eight years old.

READ: Saudi Arabia to address abuse of male guardianship system

Abdullah, who underwent a sex change operation, said he feared for his life as a result of this.

After discussion with his guests, Al-Shiryan said that the reason which pushes Saudi girls to flee is the weak social protection system and the unlimited power of guardians be they parents or husbands.

The issue of the abuse of women in Saudi resurfaced last month when Rahaf Al-Qunun fled the Kingdom in an effort to seek asylum in Australia. She barricaded herself in a hotel room in Thailand in an effort to force authorities to allow her to travel to Australia and not extradite her to her family in Saudi. She has since been granted asylum in Canada.

Is it the end of guardianship in Saudi Arabia? - Cartoon [Mohammad Sabaaneh/Middle East Monitor]

Is it the end of guardianship in Saudi Arabia? – Cartoon [Mohammad Sabaaneh/Middle East Monitor]