Shocking Video of Saudi Woman Attempting Suicide to Flee Domestic Abuse Sparks Outrage

The hashtag #معنفه_تحاول_الانتحار (Abused woman attempts suicide) started trending after a terrifying video of a woman standing on top of a building attempting to commit suicide circulated the internet. 

As the woman stands on the edge of the building, a man can be heard threatening the woman as she screams, "I'd rather go to jail than live with you, I don't want to stay with you, you're not a human.”

Translation: “I just received a terrifying video of a woman standing on top of a building attempting to commit suicide while a man threatens her as she screams 'I'd rather go to jail than live with you, I don't want to stay with you, you're not a human.'"

In the viral video, a number of passersby are gathered on the street, some of them busy filming, while others try to calm the woman down and persuade her not to end her life.

Translation: “No human being reaches the point where they would consider suicide unless they experienced the most horrible levels of agony and despair. I hope this incident comes to the attention of authorities!"

The incident sparked a massive public outcry in the Kingdom, with activists demanding an investigation into the man in the video, and for the woman to be rescued from the domestic abuse she says she has been experiencing.

Translation: “Saudi Arabia is hell for women.”

Translation: “This is utterly heartbreaking.”

Since the video viral, the issue of domestic abuse and violations of women’s rights came under the spotlight, with women's rights activists expressing their discontent with the ongoing misogyny and sexism in the conservative Kingdom. 

Translation: “As Saudi women, we should all gather every year in the streets, hug each other and weep as another goes by of us managing to maintain our sanity and not committing suicide over the systematic oppression and violations of human rights we face every day."

Translation: “No law stands by you. No people, even family, will support you. They will put the blame on you. All Saudi women lead miserable lives at this point."

Translation: “Safety and protection of domestic abuse should be a human right to everyone. We as Saudi women are tired for demanding our rights. Unfortunately every Saudi woman still suffers these injustices and crimes.”

On the other hand, some social media users claimed the woman is merely mentally ill, and that she is probably faking being domestically abused for personal reasons. These responses reflect the systemic nature of women's oppression that still persists in Saudi Arabia.

Translation: “I can’t think of a single reason as to why that woman would attempt suicide. I don’t think it’s domestic abuse, she must be mentally ill. I hope authorities investigate her case and make sure she’s actually being abused or just crazy.”