Technology and Women's Rights

Digital technology such as , mobile phones and social networks played an important role in in supporting the ���Arab Revolution�۪, in this story of Samar we see how women's rights can also be brought to attention by modern technology.

King Abdullah recently announced that women will be allowed to vote in Saudi Arabia in 2015. Gender roles in Saudi society come from Sharia (Islamic law). All women, regardless of age, are required to have a male guardian. The world economic Forum 2009 Global Gender Gap Report ranked Saudi Arabia 130th out of 134 countries for gender parity. It was the only country to score a zero in the category of political empowerment. Edward Stourton interviewed Samar Badawi and her husband. When Samar was 14 her mentally ill father began beating her, she took refuge in a shelter and filed a legal case against her father. As a result he father filed a case against her "for disobedience". Samar lost the case, she had a choice to go back to her father or to go to jail. She understandably and bravely chose jail. Samar's lawyer having failed through the law to have her released chose twitter an facebook to campaign for her release. In six days Samar was free. Samar's courage and spirit is admirable and brings home the many battles fought and won for women's right which many of us enjoy. Interview Available here