Saudi teenager Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun captured the world’s attention
when she fled from her family during a holiday in Kuwait,
was detained in Bangkok trying to avoid deportation —
"I want asylum."
— and was then granted her wish by Canada.
"This is Rahaf Alqunun, a very brave new Canadian."
"Canada has been unequivocal, that we will always stand up for human rights
and women's rights around the world."
Her case isn’t unique, but it’s once again put the international spotlight on Saudi Arabia,
and its strict male guardianship system.
Every Saudi woman is assigned a male relative, whose permission they need
for many major legal and personal affairs.
She basically passes from the control of one male to another throughout her life.
This could be her father, brother, husband, or even son.
"It should be the right of every Saudi woman to live freely and with dignity in her own country.
"And that’s why this is the time to look closely at this guardianship system in Saudi Arabia,
which controls almost every aspect of every woman and girl’s life
in Saudi Arabia from birth to death."
The current system means women need permission for things like:
travelling outside the country; marriage and divorce;
leaving prison; and in some instances, education, employment,
and receiving medical care.
There are also many other restrictions placed on women, including:
dressing modestly; not socialising with men who aren’t related;
not swimming in public; and men and women are usually segregated in public.
Human rights groups and countless activists have pushed for the guardianship to be abolished,
saying women can become trapped as prisoners of abusive families.
But while there are many critics of the government, many aspects of the system stem
from informal practice rather than specific laws.
"Organic application varies from family to family, but that’s not necessarily the government.
So for example when I was living in the Kingdom, I changed work twice, I had 2 bank accounts,
I had several cell phone contracts.
I never had a guardian authorise any of this, but a Saudi woman sitting next to me may have
a different experience, but that’s not the leadership, that’s not the government."
There's been a recent focus on women’s rights within the country,
with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bringing in some reforms for women, who can now:
drive; attend sporting events and play sport in school;
run and vote in local elections;
enlist in the military; and as of this month, they’ll now know
whether they’re being divorced by receiving a text message.
Before this, their husband could divorce them without their knowledge.
Despite the progress, there are still serious consequences for those who speak out publicly.
Since last May, many leading women’s rights activists have been arrested and detained,
including those who pushed for an end to the driving ban and the guardianship system.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International say
some of these political prisoners have been tortured.
"All these activists today are locked in prisons that no one knows where they are,
they have one phone call with their family, there are no charges pressed against them,
they have no access to lawyers.
"And the charges, there were no charges. There was only treason, and treason is 20 years in jail.
"And the only treason they had is they love their country so much
to campaign for equal society between men and women."
While Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun managed to make her escape,
many others have failed in their attempts,
including 24-year-old Dina Ali Lasloom, who in 2017 posted a desperate video
on social media at Manila airport.
"If my family come, they will kill me.
"If I go back to Saudi Arabia I will be dead, please help me, I’m recording this video
to help me and know that I'm real and here."
She was taken back to Saudi Arabia by family members,
and hasn’t been heard from since.
"Women in Saudi Arabia who attempt to make such an escape attempt could upon return
be subjected to violence, including so-called 'honour violence', or even murder."
"So let's dismantle this guardianship system,
let's dismantle this form of gender apartheid."
"Let’s tell the Saudi regime we do not buy their lies about emancipating women
just because they lifted a ban on driving.
"Let’s listen to the Saudi feminists who for decades have been fighting to be free
in their own country."