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May 16, 2008 6:00:17 AM CDT

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Guardian System Has Saudi Women 'Perpetual Minors'  

Posted Apr 21, 08 3:55 PM CDT in World    Editor's Choice

(newser) – Women in Saudi Arabia need to gain a male guardian’s consent to do almost anything, living as “perpetual minors,” the Telegraph reports. Research by Human Rights Watch found that male permission is needed to go to a doctor, travel, and even get dressed. In addition, strict segregation denies women access to public libraries and educational institutions.

Women are also not able to function as adults for the sake of their children, forbidden to open a bank account or enroll them in school. The Saudi government says it will soon lift some restrictions, but HRW found even when bans have been rescinded, as with unaccompanied airline travel, social mores keep the consent system in place de facto.

Source Daily Telegraph (UK)

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Guardian System Has Saudi Women 'Perpetual Minors'
An unidentified Saudi is seen in this Oct. 23, 2007, file photo taken in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.   (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
Guardian System Has Saudi Women 'Perpetual Minors'
Two veiled Saudi women enjoy Red Sea in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2007.   (AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian)
Guardian System Has Saudi Women 'Perpetual Minors'
An unidentified Saudi is seen in this Oct. 23, 2007, file photo taken in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.   (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
Guardian System Has Saudi Women 'Perpetual Minors'
An unidentified Saudi doctor is seen in this Oct. 23, 2007, file photo taken in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, hospital.   (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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women  • Islam  • Saudi Arabia  • women's rights  • sexism  • Human Rights Watch  • Islamic Sharia law  • gender discrimination  • repression


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