http://www.arabnews.com/?page=13§ion=0&article=90717&d=12&m=1&y=2007&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Local%20Press
Monday, 8, January, 2007 (19, Dhul Hijjah, 1427)
A Woman's Story
Haya Al-Manie . Al-Riyadh
Devastated and depressed, she went to the house of her oldest
brother. She went to him in his mansion, carrying her little child and crying
that her husband had divorced her. She didn't want anything from her brother
but his help. She thought she could depend on his authority and influence to
help her get a job.
But her brother refused to interfere and confirmed to her in
their conversation that he rejected the idea of her working as a maid. She said
her brother was worried about idle gossip and his reputation. He asked her,
"What do you think people will say about me?" His words echoed in her mind many
times.
After some time, he felt sympathy for her and began sending
her money every now and then on the condition that she didn't do any work that
would reflect unfavorably on his social position
This lady's case is not an exceptional one; if it were, it
would have been easy to deal with. There are unfortunately hundreds of women in
similar situations. Her main desire was to be independent and work in order to
earn her living. She wanted her brother to help her find a job that matched her
qualifications. Her brother doesn't know that she and her children sometimes go
to sleep hungry and yet his children simply ask their driver to bring them
whatever they want.
As for her brother's wife, she is busy with her friends
dining in the fanciest restaurants in town. The poor woman did not complain
because she was not envious of her brother's lifestyle. She hates the fact that
he is ashamed of her and her status and refuses to let her work according to
Islamic rules.
This woman and many like her want to live their lives with
dignity and earn their own living. They want to celebrate Eid and enjoy
themselves just like everyone else. They want to have regular healthy meals
every day and have their children go to school. They believe they can live
their lives decently if they are given the chance. Do they need to live at the
mercy of their legal guardians who refuse to cooperate? Our system doesn't
compel a legal guardian to allow any woman he is responsible for to work. But
the system could protect women from suffering horrible circumstances by making
their lives much easier.
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