Jamal was worth the effort. Saudi Women weren’t.
Women Rights are Dim rights.
Recently the news of Jamal Kashoggi's disappearance and speculated death has been plaguing our news media outlets and social media entities almost every corner of the world for the past few weeks now.
In brief, Jamal was a Saudi Arabian dissident, author and well-respected journalist who was a high profile critic of the Saudi Arabian regime and its governmental authorities. When he disappeared on the 2nd of October in Turkey Istanbul Saudi Embassy, it caused a shockwave amongst the international community and those who dearly associated with him on a daily basis such as his friends, colleagues and most especially his Turkish fiancé. Although it is not clear on Jamal's whereabouts or remains, the evidence provided by the Turkish officials and the United States Intelligence agency not only pin-pointed out the involvement of Saudi officials in the misfortune but in addition, does lean towards the notion that Jamal Kashoggi might have been tortured and murdered brutally within the embassy consulate on the day that he disappeared.
The one thing I would like to draw off this tragic event is the international uprising that has recently been sparked by the world. The case of Kashoggi not only received public disdain towards the atrocious actions committed by Saudi officials but the many investment deals that Saudi Arabia lost out on in recent days were as a result of corporates refusing to be involved in a ‘bloody’ situation that would have potentially affected public image and controversy.
My concern from this stems from the basis that the world has unfortunately proved to Saudi women that they are not worth the effort, the “spark’’ let alone the platform for people to give an ear towards. Despite many of the Saudi women risking their lives on social media platforms in their thousands, producing videos and content proving Saudi’s injustice towards them and others, the world remained silent and turned the other cheek. Humanity only started to care when it took the death of one prominent Saudi man and personalized it to make it their problem. Because of this, people are now comfortable enough to say, “yes, now we believe you and every bad thing Saudi Arabia has done to you”
The truth is, the world did not see Saudi women as worth the effort of international spark in comparison to Jamal Kashoggi. The Male Guardianship law did not hold a value system compared to the disappearance of a Saudi man — well, maybe it did but not to the extent of which we are seeing now in terms of the reactions Saudi Arabia is receiving from the international arena because of Jamal's case.
It is truly sad indeed that women are often the last beings people respond to when they are in need and by writing this, my intention is not to disrespect the legacy that Jamal Kashoggi had created in this world, but I write this as a woman advocating for Saudi women and having to bare witness on their hard work they’ve constantly put on the frontlines, to prove to the world that they are real and in pain, only to be dismissed so easily and so effortlessly as though they weren't worth the effort of concern.
Amna Aljuaid was arrested for reporting her abuse against her father — International effort lasted for a few weeks, lack of concern was shown by statesmen, corporate entities and many human rights organizations including the UN.
Dina Ali was chased around the airport by her uncles, they caught her, kidnapped her, tied her up during a plane ride- She is still not found and there are no efforts being placed by the international community and entities to find her.
Where is the justice for Saudi Women?
