Women-only city planned - What do you think?

Reader · 08-13-2012, 01:46 PM

Women-only city planned - What do you think?

http://www.rt.com/news/women-city-saudi-sharia-339/

Linus · 08-13-2012, 01:56 PM

Ya.. I dunno. Rather than this being something of women, by women (which is what I expected from the title) I see this as a "Men have decided you can work but only where and when we say it's ok" kind of thing.

Quote:

But despite the degree of emancipation, women's rights in Saudi Arabia are still defined by Islam and lack basic freedoms found in many Western cultures. For instance, Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that prohibits women from driving.

Yet recently efforts have been made to change the societal structure in the kingdom.

Last September, King Abdullah announced that women will be able to vote and run in the 2015 local elections, and be appointed to the Consultative Assembly.

AFAIK (and I admit to not being muslim/Islamic and my knowledge is from reading) that women are not prohibited by the Qu'ran from working outside of the home. So not sure why the Saudis feel the need to do this, other than to remind women that it's men who grant them the right to do things (my interpretation of the Saudis actions).

Quote:

This July, women also obtained the right to represent their country at the London Olympic Games.

Uh huh. And then only to be mocked and insulted for doing so (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ahmed-...b_1709873.html)

Reader · 08-13-2012, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linus

Ya.. I dunno. Rather than this being something of women, by women (which is what I expected from the title) I see this as a "Men have decided you can work but only where and when we say it's ok" kind of thing.

AFAIK (and I admit to not being muslim/Islamic and my knowledge is from reading) that women are not prohibited by the Qu'ran from working outside of the home. So not sure why the Saudis feel the need to do this, other than to remind women that it's men who grant them the right to do things (my interpretation of the Saudis actions).

Uh huh. And then only to be mocked and insulted for doing so (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ahmed-...b_1709873.html)

That's a really interesting point about it being the men's idea and decision. I would really like to know what these women think.

aishah · 08-13-2012, 02:36 PM

i'm not sure why the media hasn't asked any saudi women their opinion. it's not as though they're prohibited from speaking to the media, but i haven't seen much commentary in this or other news articles. i wonder what effect this could have on women who are already pursuing degrees and working elsewhere.

Reader · 08-13-2012, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aishah

i'm not sure why the media hasn't asked any saudi women their opinion. it's not as though they're prohibited from speaking to the media, but i haven't seen much commentary in this or other news articles. i wonder what effect this could have on women who are already pursuing degrees and working elsewhere.

Good questions. I find this really very intriguing. I really wonder why this isn't getting more attention, too.

sharonsuburbia · 08-13-2012, 02:52 PM

the entire idea is based on religous law that treats women like shit - this is not an empweremnet - it is a ghetto

mariamma · 08-14-2012, 03:28 PM

It's a great idea...let the women separate and do things independent of men. Women will discover that they have more energy, are able to be happy without reproach or critique and eventually will live longer, happier lives. But as soon as the rug munching starts, the men will bust it all up....that's what I fear at least.
What I don't get is, I get how there will be women-led businesses, food processing, textiles, etc. Are these women expected to never be married and have children? Will some leave the women's city in order to bear a family? Will this be a place of refuge for the women who do not want to have children/families?

The_Lady_Snow · 08-14-2012, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariamma

It's a great idea...let the women separate and do things independent of men. Women will discover that they have more energy, are able to be happy without reproach or critique and eventually will live longer, happier lives. But as soon as the rug munching starts, the men will bust it all up....that's what I fear at least.
What I don't get is, I get how there will be women-led businesses, food processing, textiles, etc. Are these women expected to never be married and have children? Will some leave the women's city in order to bear a family? Will this be a place of refuge for the women who do not want to have children/families?

Rug munching? You're kidding right?

08-13-2012, 01:46 PM	#1
Reader Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Butch, Dyke, Feminist, Contrarian Preferred Pronoun?: She, her Relationship Status: Single Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Jersey, The Garden State Posts: 732 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,308 Thanked 2,229 Times in 586 Posts Rep Power: 0	Women-only city planned - What do you think? Women-only city planned - What do you think? http://www.rt.com/news/women-city-saudi-sharia-339/

08-13-2012, 02:36 PM	#4
aishah Member How Do You Identify?: queer stone femme shark baby girl Preferred Pronoun?: she, her, little one Relationship Status: dating myself. Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: dallas, tx Posts: 1,495 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,823 Thanked 6,442 Times in 1,288 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	i'm not sure why the media hasn't asked any saudi women their opinion. it's not as though they're prohibited from speaking to the media, but i haven't seen much commentary in this or other news articles. i wonder what effect this could have on women who are already pursuing degrees and working elsewhere.

08-13-2012, 02:52 PM	#6
sharonsuburbia Member How Do You Identify?: femme Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: ny Posts: 168 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 94 Thanked 105 Times in 43 Posts Rep Power: 465697	the entire idea is based on religous law that treats women like shit - this is not an empweremnet - it is a ghetto

08-14-2012, 03:28 PM	#7
mariamma Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: single Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oregon Posts: 352 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,458 Thanked 1,115 Times in 281 Posts Rep Power: 9628891	It's a great idea...let the women separate and do things independent of men. Women will discover that they have more energy, are able to be happy without reproach or critique and eventually will live longer, happier lives. But as soon as the rug munching starts, the men will bust it all up....that's what I fear at least. What I don't get is, I get how there will be women-led businesses, food processing, textiles, etc. Are these women expected to never be married and have children? Will some leave the women's city in order to bear a family? Will this be a place of refuge for the women who do not want to have children/families?