The Other Half Of The Reform Equation

Monday, 29 May 2006
By Sabria S. Jawhar
The Saudi Gazette

THE concepts of reform and democracy are gradually being introduced to the people of Saudi Arabia, who are in two minds about accepting what they see as coming about from foreign meddling, and the belief that American or European ideas are not suited to Arab and Islamic culture. Saudis have been hesitant as was evident in last year’s municipality elections - the opportunity ever given to Saudis to vote - hailed as a historic first step toward broader democracy.
Many voters I spoke to, did not think of voting as a right, but saw it as a privilege. To me, this was unjustified and affected the level of participation and hence the credibility of the results.
Turnout among the Saudi men above 21 years of age, who were allowed to vote was low throughout the country and the results left much the silent majority unrepresented.
The election, nonetheless, sparked intense debate between traditional rivals in Saudi society, the conservatives and liberals.
But the debate faltered when religious clerics endorsed conservative candidates through widely circulated mobile phone text messages in what was then known as the “Golden Bloc” - totally violating elections regulation.
As a result, conservatives won elections in most regions, including the most liberal Western region.
That victory, whether or not it is credible, highlights the importance of promoting the concept of reform as an aspect of democracy and a first step towards integrating the will of the people in governance, something that King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, has been calling for in his reform chart submitted to the 2002 Arab summit in Beirut.
Since the approval of that chart, several measures have been taken to move forward on the path of reform in the Kingdom.
But observers characterized the process as slow and shy because the thrust of the measures has so far been economic and partially political, with relatively no awareness amongst society regarding the importance of what is being done or should be done.
Reform was introduced quietly and without drum banging to raise awareness and prepare the public. Reform has so far touched softly on the affairs of women and failed to introduce regulations that protect their full citizenship rights.
Reform has not yet found ways to help bring women into the mainstream decision-making process of Saudi society, where they have little or no say.
In the 2005 elections, women were not allowed to vote or run, although the election law did not explicitly ban their participation. They were deemed to be unprepared to voice their opinion at such a critical juncture in the evolution of Saudi society. I believe that if Saudi women were aware of their fundamental right to universal suffrage, they would have bothered the election committee officials, as well as the Ministry of Interior with their telephone calls and e-mails, seeking their right to vote or contest. Unfortunately, they were too weak to organize themselves and take a stand.
They accepted their exclusion - with vague promises of participation during elections in 2007 - as a fact of life.
Women in the Kingdom, moreover, still suffer from discrimination at the workplace, at home, and at the judicial courts, yet they are doing nothing about it simply because they generally do not know the advantages of participating in political life and of being in a decision-making position.
As of now, they appear to be content with accepting their perceived indifference and/or helplessness.
Saudi women are also excluded from membership in the consultative Shoura Council.
This is another right that they should strongly ask for as there can be no democratic parliament without women’s participation.
I also believe that Saudi men have to be taught the merits of reform and women in particular have to be taught how to take advantage of the newly introduced laws, as well as the existing ones.
For instance, the new labor law, which expands the fields of professions in which women are eligible for work, has not been fully used due to the lack of awareness.
As an observer I foresee more speedy reform if more political participation is given, especially to women.
Awareness and exposure to the advantages of reform should be given more attention.
The government will never be able to push reform further unless the public appreciate and demand it. The idea that public opinion is the real parameter for the assessment of the extent and direction of needs, as well as that of success, should be emphasized.
Saudis have to learn that society is built on the balance of a four variable equation, with men versus women on one side, and the Government versus civil societies on the other.