http://www.arabnews.com/?page=13§ion=0&article=64365&d=3&m=6&y=2005
Thursday, 26, May, 2005 (17, Rabi` al-Thani, 1426)
Stop Discriminating Against Us
Nahid Bashatah . Al-Riyadh
The decision by Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) to limit the credit ceiling for
women using its mobile network to SR1,000 against a SR2,000 credit ceiling for
men has been vehemently opposed by the women who see it as a form of
discrimination. Women account for a third of all STC mobile users in the
Kingdom and should not be so brazenly discriminated against.
The wide coverage in the press of the women's response to the move seems
to reflect a proper sense of awareness by women who know their rights. I wish
this were true, but unfortunately, the reality on the ground points to
something different. The exact percentage of women who know their legitimate
rights is unknown up to now simply because, as far as I know, no scientific
study or research has ever been conducted on the issue.
I remember, when conducting a study on self-esteem to determine how women
saw themselves, I was surprised by the answers given by some. They said they
had never felt they were treated unjustly because they were women. Their
answers really baffled me. I asked myself if these women were living in a world
other than the one I know. What about girls who want an education but find
themselves forced into marriage by their fathers even before finishing high
school? What about girls who want to major in a certain subject but cannot do
so because that particular subject is not available to women?
What about a woman who wants to file a complaint with the police against
someone harassing her over the phone or in the street but the police refuse to
listen to her until she brings a male guardian with her? What about working
women whose fathers force them to surrender their entire salaries leaving them
penniless?
My explanation for the answers given by those women was that they don't
know what is meant by injustice or discrimination. It is important that when
talking about injustice that we do not hail and praise our way of life. This
will only give an incorrect picture of the truth. Admitting injustice does not
mean we would be incriminating ourselves or our society. Why should any one
feel embarrassed or ashamed and refuse to admit something is wrong with the way
we handle almost everything concerning women?
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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