No, this definitely is not the Saudi Woman

This article caught my attention because the title--This is the Saudi Woman-- alluded to something, new? different? better? or maybe I was just hopeful. It turned out, however, to be a disappointment.

Apart from the poor writing, it seems to have one real purpose, and one tag-along purpose. The first, to praise the Saudi government for pushing for women's rights and proclaiming that the reason why is because 'they [kings] were keen to give the people of Saudi Arabia a good education.' While this is partly true, it definitely isn't the whole case. Where did social pressure and International criticism vanish to? Also, the author is obviously understating the level of power which the religious police, from decades of free reign, have, and exercise.

Also bothersome was the notion that women needed to learn for the sole purpose of applying that knowledge and becoming part of the workforce. "Otherwise, there would be no point in arduous study, going and coming from university and paying university fees if it would only lead to young women staying at home for fighting over jobs leftover for women. Why then give them an education in the first place?"

Part of the problem, I believe, is the idea that men require learning, yet it's a favor or blessing if it's bestowed upon a woman. Of course, from personal experience, I know this is not the case with everyone in Saudi. however, if these are the ideas that our 'educated' reporters are putting out there... Uh Oh...

One hopeful sign though, is the comment issued by the head of the supreme judiciary council in Saudi Arabia--which by the way is governed by Islamic law, so this is a religious figure speaking-- regarding the plan to develop the judiciary system. "He [Sheikh Saleh Bin Humaid] pointed out that development does not mean demolishing previous achievements, but rather looking forward to a better future." It would be great to think this was completely genuine and he meant every word of it, which I honestly hope it is. But it is highly likely that international criticism is playing a crucial role.

It also would have been nice to hear comments from officials, and those in the actual educational about the current situation in high schools and universities. Maybe interviews with ladies and their families on how it has affected their family dynamic.