Saudi behind ‘end male guardianship’ campaign reportedly imprisoned

Published December 28th, 2016 - 07:27 GMT
Saudi women face many restrictions on their everyday lives (AFP)
Saudi women face many restrictions on their everyday lives (AFP)

A Saudi man has reportedly been imprisoned for calling for the end to his country’s system of male guardianship.

The unnamed individual has been jailed for a year and fined 30,000 riyals (8,000 dollars), after being found guilty of "inciting to end guardianship of women" on Twitter and in public posters, according to local media reports.

Authorities allege that the man is behind the ongoing Twitter movement campaigning for the collapse of the male guardianship system. Launched in July using the Arabic hashtag “Saudi women demand the end to male guardianship”, the campaign has gained considerable support in Saudi Arabia, with many signing a petition in September.

However, the social media protest has not been uncontroversial, with many in the ultraconservative Kingdom strongly opposing any change to the status quo. “Prison for the inciter of guardianship must fall” was trending yesterday, as Twitter users took the opportunity to criticize those who demand women’s rights:

Thankfully #PrisonForTheInciterOfGuardianshipMustFall. It turned out that he was the owner of a pornographic account. And so the curtain is drawn on a campaign led by Zionists and promoted by porn.

Where are the #liberal community and Cohen's (a Twitter activist involved in the campaign) maids, and the mercenaries that followed him? "Do you perceive of them anyone or hear from them a sound?" (Quran: Maryam 98) #PrisonForTheInciterOfGuardianshipMustFall

Most of those who call to for the end of male guardianship are enemies of the nation, owners of pornographic accounts and a bunch of atheists. #PrisonForTheInciterOfGuardianshipMustFall

#PrisonForTheInciterOfGuardianshipMustFall A strong slap in the face to those calling for the dissolution and destruction of our homes, and incitement against the systems of our countries... and no dignity for the #liberalcommunity

Women’s rights activists responded defiantly, however:

Under the guardianship system, women are required to seek permission from a male relative before undertaking many ordinary everyday tasks, including traveling, seeking medical care, working or studying. This is just one of many restrictions on the lives of Saudi women, which also include the ban on driving, as well as strict rules regarding modest dress and gender mixing.

RA

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