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Judo federation will allow headscarf for Saudi judoka
The Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee and the International Judo Federation came to an agreement over competitor Wojdan Shaherkani wearing a headscarf, or hijab, as she competes. Shaherkani is one of the first two women to compete for the conservative kingdom, but her participation in the Olympics was put in jeopardy when the federation said last week she couldn't compete wearing the hijab for safety reasons.
[ Related: Afghani female sprinter vows to show women new future ]
According to CNN, Shaherkani's father was adamant that she must wear the hijab. There were reports she would withdraw from the Olympics if she was forced to compete without it.
[ Video: Brazilian judoka gets shining moment ]
Though the judo federation is concerned the hijab can be used to injure Shaherkani, she will wear it in competition. Now, she will still compete on Friday as planned. No matter what she wears or what she does on the mat, Shaherkani is a trailblazer for women everywhere.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/judo-federation-allow-headscarf-saudi-judoka-131610464--oly.html
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I REALLY don't agree with this, mainly because it is extremely dangerous. I feel bad for her, because she is the first Saudi female ever allowed to compete in the Games.
Notice her father won't allow her to compete sans headcovering.
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Both Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani, and Sarah Attar, are very brave; actually, heroic may be a better word. It's pretty much a given that the only reason the Saudi conservative patriarchal monarchy has allowed a woman to compete is because of intense international pressure and some relentless grassroot activism by Saudi feminists.
It would not surprise me at all if, once they were back in Saudi Arabia and away from the prying eyes of the world, their fathers or uncles, or a cleric, or maybe some male friend of the family, locked them in a room and beat them for their brazen disobedience and the shame they have brought upon their family, religion, and country, for daring to engage in activities that should only be the privilege of men. And afterward, maybe threatened them with being stoned to death if they ever told anyone about the beating.
A Leap Forward for Saudi Arabia
The Human Rights Watch report, 'Steps of the Devil': Denial of Women's and Girls' Rights to Sport in Saudi Arabia," explains Saudi clerics' religious objections to Saudi women engaging in any sport. The Saudi clergy believes such behavior moves Saudi women down a slippery slope towards the devil. According to the report, Saudi religious scholars claim that allowing Saudi girls and women to enter into sports would invite them to engage in immodest movement, don aberrant clothing, perform in front of spectators, and eventually come into direct contact with unrelated men in mixed settings, all of which leads to immorality and the irreparable desecration of the purity of Saudi women.
The US and Canada should offer blanket political asylum to the women and LGBT folks of Saudi Arabia's fascist "conservative kingdom".
I'm positive that the feminist and LGBT organizations of the world would, overnight, raise the money to provide transportation out of that misogynist patriarchal hellhole for any Saudi woman, female child, and LGBT person who desired to be free from that hateful place. An underground railroad could be established if necessary, like the one that freed slaves in the south, and sheltered and transported them north until they were safe and free.
Women in Saudi Arabia are universally subjected to extreme brainwashing from birth, so not all women would choose to leave right away because many suffer from institutionalized Stockholm Syndrome. But within 20 years, the only females left for the misogynists of Saudi Arabia to abuse would be...camels, and it wouldn't come as a shock if the unfortunate camels made a desperate attempt to escape also. Then again, it may be that Saudi men are required by law to treat animals with more respect and consideration than they are mere women and girls.
Women's Rights in Saudi Arabia
All women, regardless of age, are required to have a male guardian. Women cannot vote or be elected to high political positions.[1] However, King Abdullah has declared that women will be able to vote and run in the 2015 local elections, and be appointed to the Consultative Assembly.[2] Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that prohibits women from driving. The World Economic Forum 2009 Global Gender Gap Report ranked Saudi Arabia 130th out of 134 countries for gender parity. It was the only country to score a zero in the category of political empowerment. The report also noted that Saudi Arabia is one of the few Middle Eastern countries to improve from 2008, with small gains in economic opportunity.[3]
snip--
Women’s freedom of movement is very limited in Saudi Arabia. They are not supposed to leave their houses or their local neighbourhood without the permission of their male guardian, and company of a mahram (close male relative). However, out of necessity most women leave the house alone and often have contact with unrelated men to shop or conduct business.[12][74]
Women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, although it is often tolerated in rural areas. Saudi Arabia has no written ban on women driving, but Saudi law requires citizens to use a locally issued license while in the country. Such licenses are not issued to women, thus making it effectively illegal for women to drive.[75] Furthermore, most Saudi scholars and religious authorities have declared women driving haram (forbidden).[18][20] Commonly given reasons for the prohibition on women driving include:[76][77]
Driving a car involves uncovering the face which is considered obligatory for women to cover in Saudi.
Driving a car may lead women to go out of the house more often.
Driving a car may lead women to have interaction with non-mahram males, for example at traffic accidents.
Women driving cars may lead to overcrowding the streets and many young men may be deprived of the opportunity to drive.
Driving would be the first step in an erosion of traditional values, such as gender segregation.
All women, regardless of age, are required to have a male guardian. Women cannot vote or be elected to high political positions.[1] However, King Abdullah has declared that women will be able to vote and run in the 2015 local elections, and be appointed to the Consultative Assembly.[2] Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that prohibits women from driving. The World Economic Forum 2009 Global Gender Gap Report ranked Saudi Arabia 130th out of 134 countries for gender parity. It was the only country to score a zero in the category of political empowerment. The report also noted that Saudi Arabia is one of the few Middle Eastern countries to improve from 2008, with small gains in economic opportunity.[3]
snip--
Women’s freedom of movement is very limited in Saudi Arabia. They are not supposed to leave their houses or their local neighbourhood without the permission of their male guardian, and company of a mahram (close male relative). However, out of necessity most women leave the house alone and often have contact with unrelated men to shop or conduct business.[12][74]
Women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, although it is often tolerated in rural areas. Saudi Arabia has no written ban on women driving, but Saudi law requires citizens to use a locally issued license while in the country. Such licenses are not issued to women, thus making it effectively illegal for women to drive.[75] Furthermore, most Saudi scholars and religious authorities have declared women driving haram (forbidden).[18][20] Commonly given reasons for the prohibition on women driving include:[76][77]
Driving a car involves uncovering the face which is considered obligatory for women to cover in Saudi.
Driving a car may lead women to go out of the house more often.
Driving a car may lead women to have interaction with non-mahram males, for example at traffic accidents.
Women driving cars may lead to overcrowding the streets and many young men may be deprived of the opportunity to drive.
Driving would be the first step in an erosion of traditional values, such as gender segregation.
LGBT rights in Saudi Arabia are unrecognized. Homosexuality is frequently a taboo subject in Saudi Arabian society and is punished with imprisonment, corporal punishment and capital punishment. Transgenderism is generally associated with homosexuality.
It is unclear how many people have been executed for sodomy. Some of the official news reports on persons convicted of sodomy seem to provide conflicting opinions.
In 2000 the Saudi government reported that it had sentenced nine Saudi men to extensive prison terms with lashing for engaging in cross-dressing and homosexual relations.[3] That same year the government executed three Yemeni male workers for homosexuality and child molestation.[4]
In April 2005, the government convicted over a hundred men of homosexuality, but none were sentenced to be executed. All those men were given prison sentences with flogging because they were at a private party that was either a same-sex wedding ceremony or a birthday party.[5] Yet, not long after a gay foreign couple was sentenced to death for homosexuality and allegedly killing a man who was blackmailing them for homosexuality.
It is unclear how many people have been executed for sodomy. Some of the official news reports on persons convicted of sodomy seem to provide conflicting opinions.
In 2000 the Saudi government reported that it had sentenced nine Saudi men to extensive prison terms with lashing for engaging in cross-dressing and homosexual relations.[3] That same year the government executed three Yemeni male workers for homosexuality and child molestation.[4]
In April 2005, the government convicted over a hundred men of homosexuality, but none were sentenced to be executed. All those men were given prison sentences with flogging because they were at a private party that was either a same-sex wedding ceremony or a birthday party.[5] Yet, not long after a gay foreign couple was sentenced to death for homosexuality and allegedly killing a man who was blackmailing them for homosexuality.
Human Trafficking in Saudi Arabia
The Government of Saudi Arabia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so. The government continues to lack adequate anti-trafficking laws, and, despite evidence of widespread trafficking abuses, did not report any criminal prosecutions, convictions, or prison sentences for trafficking crimes committed against foreign domestic workers. The government similarly did not take law enforcement action against trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation in Saudi Arabia, or take any steps to provide victims of sex trafficking with protection. The Saudi government also made no discernable effort to employ procedures to identify and refer victims to protective services.[1]
The Government of Saudi Arabia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so. The government continues to lack adequate anti-trafficking laws, and, despite evidence of widespread trafficking abuses, did not report any criminal prosecutions, convictions, or prison sentences for trafficking crimes committed against foreign domestic workers. The government similarly did not take law enforcement action against trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation in Saudi Arabia, or take any steps to provide victims of sex trafficking with protection. The Saudi government also made no discernable effort to employ procedures to identify and refer victims to protective services.[1]
Welcome to wonderful Saudi Arabia, Your Conservative Patriarchal Paradise of the 21st century.
I'm pretty much totally anti-war, but I might have almost been able to forgive Bush if he would have attacked Saudi Arabia instead of Iraq.
Three billion cheers for Wodjan and Sarah, and all the brave women in Saudi Arabia who have struggled so relentlessly against all odds to help make these historic appearances of Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani and Sarah Attar in the Olympic games possible.
