Saudi Arabia to allow women into sports stadiums
Saudi Arabia will allow women to attend sports events
in stadiums for the first time from next year, officials say. Families will be
able to enter the stadiums in three major cities - Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.
It is another move towards giving more freedom to Saudi women, who face strict
gender segregation rules, and follows the historic lifting of a driving ban. Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman is leading a major drive to modernise Saudi society
and boost the economy.
Saudi
Arabia's sports authority said that preparations would start in the three
stadiums so they can be "ready to accommodate families from early
2018". Restaurants, cafes and monitor screens would be set up inside the
stadiums as part of the changes, it added. Up until now, the venues have been
men-only areas.
Understanding the changes
The reforms
are in line with a wide-ranging plan announced by 32-year-old Prince Mohammed
to bring social and economic change to the oil-dependent kingdom, known as
Vision 2030. Last month, a royal decree said that women would
be allowed to drive for the first time from next June. Concerts are
once again being held and cinemas are expected to return soon. On Wednesday,
Prince Mohammed said that the return of
a "moderate Islam" was key to his plans to modernise the
country.
He said that
70% of the Saudi population was under 30 and that they wanted a "life in
which our religion translates to tolerance". But analysts warn that the
plan is not without risks. The kingdom
faced a backlash from conservatives on social media after allowing
women to participate in National Day celebrations in Riyadh's King Fahd Stadium
for the first time last month.
Despite the
recent announcements, women still face severe restrictions in the country,
which enforces a strict form of Sunni Islam known as Wahhabism. Women have to
adhere to strict dress codes and must not associate with unrelated men. If they
want to travel, work or access healthcare they must be accompanied by - or
receive written permission from - a male guardian.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/10/30/saudi-arabia-will-allow-women-to-attend-sporting-events-in-stadiums/?utm_term=.dd40127e71d7
Letter
to the editor is posted on the Comments section!
1.)
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3.)
Comments
I would like to say thank you to Saudi Arabia’s government due to their policy of women's freedom. I think it’s time for them to think, and act equally like a man does. They deserve freedom itself, they don’t have to hang their life anymore. The government choose the right choice because in another country, mostly women’s have the right equally with men. So, Saudi Arabia’s government should act the same considering the changes of era.
I think that this progression in saudi arabia women freedom is really good. but i think that the government need to socialize the citizens about how important it is for women to have an equal rights as men. even though it may take for saudi arabia it is not impossible for saudi arabian women to finally do things that they couldn't do before.The government might have to change it in a slow pace, but if they determined to do that as long as they still can adjust it with their believe i think saudi arabian woman can also become 'free'.
In status quo, In order to survive with the outside world, both men and women should at least understand how important women freedom is because i believe to create a good generation, we have to invest an ideology about equality but not leaving behind the tradition. In this matter, i agree with the new policy that slowly approve women equality. But with the protest that exist from the conservatives means that the government hasn’t validate this policy through all layer of society. In this case, government should give understanding through socialtization to balance each people’s opinion about this policy. Not only that, government should balancing the policy with the Islam law that still potentially strong among the societies stance. With this i believe we need changes to be better.
To me, in this modern era almost everyone is aware of the human rights. But in Saudi Arabia, women have a very limited rights to do what they want to because of the strict government policy based on their religious belief. The women rights is worth fighting for, so the government started to release a new policy to give the women a freedom concession but not all people agreed with that. The government clearly have a good intention for the women freedom, but what is that for if the citizen didn't support. So i hope The Saudi Arabia people support the government policy for the women freedom
To me, in this modern era almost everyone is aware of the human rights. But in Saudi Arabia, women have a very limited rights to do what they want to because of the strict government policy based on their religious belief. The women rights is worth fighting for, so the government started to release a new policy to give the women a freedom concession but not all people agreed with that. The government clearly have a good intention for the women freedom, but what is that for if the citizen didn't support. So i hope The Saudi Arabia people support the government policy for the women freedom
i would like comment to this article.
i think Saudi Arabia make a good decision about allowing woman to enter sport stadium.The decision is such a great step to the right direction even tho there's people that not agreed with that. In this day all people have their right to claim freedom and the decision about allowing woman to enter sport stadium is the most significant change for Saudi Arabia that has strictly demarcated gender roles, and severely limits the role of women in public life. as for now woman in Saudi Arabia not only can enter stadium, but they can have a driver lisence too. it tell us that Saudi Arabia goverment really care about woman rights. i hope in in the future goverment of Saudi Arabia will make a policy about woman freedom and have a equal rights for them.
Dear Sir,
From the straightforward perspective of gender equality, women are clearly not equal with men.
Saudi Arabia has to be one of the best examples of overt patriarchy preventing women from having equal opportunities with men. But we have to continue the relevance of Feminism globally. It is another move towards giving more freedom to Saudi's women and it's time for us to open our mind up and think globally that women can do what men can do.
Sincerely,
Nadia AM
I want to comment about this article. I think that the government of Saudi Arabia have big roles on protect ther citizens, especially women, to avoid some threats. We know that from previous policy that some restrictions for women in Saudi Arabia. But in this globalization era, the restrictions are not apply anymore. On my view, I agree with the new policy. Besides of that Arab Saudi as known as Islamic Country, so I think that the government migth maintain the previous policy too. If necessary, womens in Arab Saudi are permitted to drive for working or allowed to join olympic. But, they are also must pay attention on what they wear should not be tight. Thank you, Sir.
Dear sir , In my opinion, the development of women's freedom in saudi arabia is very good. I think it's time they think, and act the same as men. They finally got their rights as a woman in usual They deserve the freedom itself, without having to rely on it.
This is another step towards transforming Saudi Arabia who once had very strict rules on gender restrictions. And It does not rule out women in Saudi Arabia developing to do things they have not done before.
I think these rights are worth to fight for. And i think, First, the kingdom have to socialize about the women's right to the citizens, and then step by step they can suggest some policies that fight for women's right in Saudi Arabia.
Dear Sir,
I think Saudi Arabia's women get many benefit from that policy. That news as a sign that Saudi Arabia's government supporting women's freedom. So, Saudi Arabia's women can live more prosperous in the future.
Dear, Sir.
First thing first, I really appreciate the action done by the government to break the notion in the society. People in Saudi Arabia—men and women—finally have the same chance in terms of hobbies, regardless of their gender but I have a few responses to be deliver according to the news.
This change must be seen as significant by the society and everytime government propose an idea, there must be pros and cons happening around especially within the conservatives. With this proposal still being in a grey area, there is still a huge chance that the progress will not happen or even if it happens, these women can be in a serious danger (for example, abusive actions in the stadium and etc.) as they are the main character of the proposal.
I am very glad that Saudi Arabia support the gender equality, but it is better to be braced with a certainty that women will be safe with the sudden change. Equality is important, but women’s safety is way more important.
—; Made Ayu Nandini K. A. (C-5)
By appIying this regulation, I hope women can apply it wisely. I hope this decisions will have a good response from every party and make woman more comfortable with their environment and feel safe all of time.
Sincerly, putri anisah
every person have their own right. both of men and women should have the same right, and now the desicion of saudi goverment can make women right uphold, the decision are , saudi arabian women is allowed to do sports and drive.as we know before the decision, women should have obey the rules that limit them. the advantages of the decision are people can respect the women freedom. with this freedom, women can develop themself. i hope with the goverment regulation women can be appreciate by the others and gain their rights. the protest from conservatives means that the they dont want to change the rules of womaen and make woman still can gain their own right. with this condition, the goverment should give some explanation that we must respect women's right and applying the rules that can make the woman right better.
Nisya Wafi S C5/26
Dear Sir,
I agreed with the Saudi Arabia Government's policy because that is women's right about gender equality but also need some restriction like they must accompanied with their man guardian/family or "Mahram". So they can live freely and they can feel safe with their "Mahram"
Saudi Arabia is most religious in the world. Even wowen not allowed to go out without their mahrom. The mahrom is the husband or their family. But now, the Government of Saudi Arabia have regulate a new rules. The new rule is the women will allow women to attend sports events in stadiums for the first time. But, the women should accompanied her mahrom. I hope that women in Saudi Arabia can use the new rule wisely.
Aha Fazadima C-5/07
Boosting Saudi's Economic System with Preserve the Wahhabism
Dear sir,
First of all, i would like to appreciate the new rules about allowing women to attend sport event in stadium and allowing women to drive. I know that the aim of these rules is to modernise Saudi society and boost the economy. But i have a consideration due to these rules.
If we go back to the past, the chief at that time had been did the best to set Saudi better and better with one of Islamic system called Wahhabism. The example of Wahhabism is the rule about prohibit women to walk around the city alone. In fact, that rule was working well until now, even become the identity of Saudi that has been dreamed by other Islamic Nation. When the present Saudi Government will develop the economic system, i think if the government prefer to give a lot of home industries to Saudi women than let them free at the city.
I am sure if Saudi Government do it, the identity of Wahhabism in Saudi will always on and at the same time Saudi will get the better economic system.
Best regard,
Moh Rizqi Rafi'i Darmawan
(C-5)
Upon hearing such news, I have to say that this is another moment to be celebrated by us women, after the former progressions made in feminist world. The loosening Saudi's woman restrictions in terms of their mobility itself could be seen as a great progress.
We are talking about Saudi Arabia, in which known as the strictest country in Middle-East that practices their religious beliefs seriously, to have the woman being given the freedom to access sport arenas and being allowed to have driving licence. I think that this could be seen as a gold chance because many countries like Indonesia, for instance, look up highly towards them. And by the time Saudi decides to apply moderate Islam and tolerancy, then it won't only give benefit for women in that particular country, but also I believe it will give insight about the importance of tolerancy to another country.
(Karen Natasha / C-5 / 16)
From the information I got about this regulatory change, there will be various opinions. But I think this is a good change that is made to adjust the situation by equalizing citizen and more having a positive impact on state planning. However, it is also necessary to monitor by direct supervision during the process until it is completely safe especially in this context is women.
Sincerely
Beta Gubinata T.(B-5/ 05)
From that article, i think Saudi Arabia government understand that women have the same rights as men, so the government allows such a description in the article. I agree. But, not all rights owned by men are also owned by women. like Women have to adhere to strict dress codes and must not associate with unrelated men. It's all the government's efforts to protect women from harm, because saudi arabia is a country with a high level of fornication.
Sincerely
Reniita Fatjah R. (B-5/ 26)