Unveiled

Just when you think you can breathe a sigh of relief for a society taking one step forward, there is something that happens that flings you back 10,000 yards.

I had a business trip planned next week to visit a project that I have been working tirelessly on across the Kingdom (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that is), however, I was told today that no females were allowed to enter the male bank branches in Riyadh (the capital city). For all of you who feel that the idea of “female” and “male” branches is a far and distant notion, welcome to Saudi Arabia, where “singles” can’t mingle with the “families” and females can’t deal with male bankers… amongst a whole host of other segregations.

Sure there has been numerous debates, countless articles written and forums formulated to discuss this very issue… but it’s like the Arab saying goes “’am bitghano bil tahoon” “You are singing in the mills”- in other words your voice is never really heard, and no one really does anything about it.

It’s hard to change a mindset that is grounded in law- and not any law but Islamic ‘Shariah’ law- and a mindset that is further concealed by layers of traditions and customs that have no basis in law, but have understood (or misunderstood) the law in their own twisted fanatical ways. Screw fanaticisms in all its shapes and sizes!

Now that I have vented, I can speak on a much less “emotional” note, and say that I am proud of the progress some woman have made in the Saudi society, they have gone from being domesticated to being educated, gone from working in the kitchen to opening restaurants and bakery shops, they have gained recognition in the local, regional and international sphere because of their achievements whether as writers, horseback riders or inspirational leaders. There is a plight towards the Saudi woman, and women living in Saudi, to becoming more active and pro-active, and this plight is well received by their male counterparts- for the most part.
In my workplace, I don’t suffer from any kind of clear-cut segregation or differentiation- I am treated as equally and fairly as my male colleagues- of course this is because we are in a professional environment, and if anyone has a problem with my sitting here, then they keep it to themselves. But still there is an invisible Chinese wall, not everyone is okay with the idea of having a mixed workplace in a purely Saudi company. To be honest, it doesn’t bother me, to each his own- as long as I can continue to show off my talents, and to perform, then to hell with anyone who has problem with my unveiled face sitting here.

At the end of the day the best way to deal with a closed-minded society is to accept that you have to prove double as hard you are worthy of a career and a position and of a voracious appetite for achievement and success. You will emerge from the shadows of men to become independent in mind and in action.