Women in the Arab World #
To round up the women trio — a semi-intentional sequel to the semi-intentional futre of technology trio of earlier — The Economist says that though Saudi Arabia in particular (and the Arab world generally) still has far too many repressive rules governing the rights of women, things are indeed getting better.
But there are signs that things may be getting a little better for the kingdom’s women. Laws forbidding violence against women are now being drafted. Women are now allowed to stay in hotels unaccompanied. The government has given initial approval for the establishment of the first Saudi women’s rights body. And the first women’s football match was played in the eastern province earlier this month, with men excluded from the stadium entirely. There are even suggestions that an infamous ban on women drivers may be lifted later this year. Such improvements are slight, but welcome. And they reflect marginal improvements elsewhere in the Middle East.