http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=69199&d=29&m=8&y=2005
Monday, 29, August, 2005 (24, Rajab, 1426)
Women Blast Double Standard on Workplace Conditions
Arab News
JEDDAH, 29 August 2005 - Women working in markets and on the streets seem
to be perfectly acceptable to the Saudi population while those working in
commercial organizations often engender hostile reactions from male colleagues
and the public.
This blatant double standard has triggered a furious reaction from women,
who occupy only five percent of the jobs in the private sector and who want to
take up opportunities that present themselves.
In public markets and traditional festivals, there are sections available
for women to work. Some of these women receive special care from government
departments which know that the market is the only source of income for their
poor families.
There are many markets around the Kingdom open for both genders. Despite
these facts, many men bridle at the idea of women working in malls and shopping
centers. Saudi women sitting on sidewalks selling their products for a living
is a common sight, yet men refuse to embrace the concept of women in an
air-conditioned office or shop. Some consider it a "disaster" yet they fail to
substantiate their argument with a valid reason.
These same men contradict themselves when they accept that women working
in other people's homes as maids are doing an honest job. They say that
"there's no shame in any work."
Al-Watan Arabic newspaper recently interviewed a number people, both male
and female, to shed light on the issue.
Dr. Nahed Taher, a financial consultant, confirmed that the current
female work force does not exceed five percent. She put the blame for this low
percentage on government rules that limit women's participation in work force
in addition to the strict yet confused social culture that prevents males and
females from mixing in some places and allows it elsewhere. This, according to
Dr. Nahed, is a double standard that restricts women's employment more than the
culture or religion.
"If there were special markets for families that prevented singles from
going in, then we would accept females working in them," said Mubarak
Al-Masradi. "I do not object women's employment as a principle. We must ensure
that they can work with dignity and away from harassment."
Muhammad Al-Muteb said that Saudis should be more educated and
open-minded about this issue. "We need to deal with it in a simple way. We
agree that women can work anywhere as long as Islamic rules and regulations are
applied. These days, there are many job opportunities open to women and they
will get more chances in future."
Nabil Ben-Saleh said that women used to work in the market long time ago
when life was simple. "With life getting more and more complicated and modern
commercial centers springing up fast, the role of women has dwindled. Slowly,
saleswomen have disappeared from the marketplace," said Ben-Saleh.
He said markets where male and female salespersons work side by side
still exist in Al-Ahsa.
"Where is the problem?" asked Ben-Saleh. "It is with our society. We tend
to look at women working in an open public place as normal while in a modern
commercial center as very strange." He hoped that these modern markets would
change the way society looks at women's employment.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Help save the life of a child. Support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/ons1pC/lbOLAA/E2hLAA/BRUplB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
***************************************************************************
Berdikusi dg Santun & Elegan, dg Semangat Persahabatan. Menuju Indonesia yg
Lebih Baik, in Commonality & Shared Destiny. http://www.ppi-india.org
***************************************************************************
__________________________________________________________________________
Mohon Perhatian:
1. Harap tdk. memposting/reply yg menyinggung SARA (kecuali sbg otokritik)
2. Pesan yg akan direply harap dihapus, kecuali yg akan dikomentari.
3. Reading only, http://dear.to/ppi
4. Satu email perhari: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
5. No-email/web only: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
6. kembali menerima email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ppiindia/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
