SAUDI ARABIA | Experts criticize the lack of freedom The stumbling of Saudi women

"I love how they dress older women in Spain decorated, well combed. In my country, we will always under the abaya, I like to see people the streetrespite freedom here . " These are the words of a close Saudi quarantine during a working trip to Madrid. A multilingual professional, who runs his company , leading to its employees and cares for his daughters but ... depends on his father. Fictitious name Awatif- divorced from a husband who did not make him happy to keep their small internalize that being married was like to be sad. Happened then you need the signature of her husband, as maiden, having to ask for it to Dad. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, women aretreated as minors and need permission from their guardians to travel, work and in general, they also move and is prohibited from driving. In the Arab country that houses the holiest site in Islam, the Kaaba (in Mecca), cutting a monarchy governed Wahhabi branch of Islam stickler.Due to the foundation agreement between the royal family and the religious-who claimed their power in a difficult-tribal, changes must be accepted by the 'sheikhs'. The newer technique to put veto any temptation to move for free is aSMS alert system . In fact since 2010 the guards could ask to receive these alerts on their mobile phones when their "dependent" make-or-I trieda transboundary movement , the issue is that you want to send them or not. In April 2012 the Home Office introduced a new electronic service system called 'Absher' in order to "make life easier for citizens and residents." Among other things made ​​possible issue electronic travel permits for dependents . It was a way to modernize and put behind thefamous yellow printed that tutors had to sign for the women to hand over the passport control officers at the airport or at the border. To take advantage of the 'Absher' the Saudis have to register and give your details to the interior ministry , including mobile. As explained by renowned journalist and Saudi blogger Ahmed Al Omran , the tool lets you select the option not to receive such notices. "It would be nice to be able to turn off notifications via text messages without losing the convenience of e-services, but that does not seem available. would be even better, of course, if women do not need permission from their male guardians to travel " . "It is outrageous that if they were treated as merchandise. Course, the problem is not the SMS (this only makes it more visible) but in the laws that subjugate women to men's desires," adds Pedro Pizano , director Media of the NGO Human Rights Foundation. Awatif's life has changed little in recent years, although there has beensome progress with regard to the rights of their fellows. Women no longer need their guardian permission to travel within the country or to stay in a hotel, can be clerks, is a deputy minister , will be part of the Shura Council , may vote and even run in the next election ... and as the latest addition, may be lawyers. "One thing is what they say they will, reality another.'ve Learned not to believe anything until it happens" skeptical lawyer warns Saudi Sofana Dahlan. She was the first woman to obtain permission from the Ministry of Higher Education to study law , and one of the signatories of a letter a few months ago to King Abdullah asking him to exercise. The claim was not new , but failed to be as popular media and outside the country as required by the right to drive. In 2011 there was a campaign through social networks with the slogan "I am a woman lawyer" , in which they demanded licenses to practice law. Currently women are considered "representatives" but not lawyers. When the reform comes into force women will have the same terms as men to practice law. So far, they can work as legal consultants companies or banks but not represent clients in court. Dahlan is cautious. In fact, before all that happens, the authorities should take appropriate measures , such as installing a system of fingerprint authentication in court in order to verify the identity of the legalistic without having to expose their faces -not required to women wear masks, but the option of a part of them-, official sources explained. "Saudi Arabia is not only one of the worst countries in the rights of women, but the lack of respect for fundamental rights in general. Exists no freedom of expression or association, or religion, for example. The King certainly is distracting the world happy with the issue of driving while oppresses and destroys the dignity of all people , "concludes Pizano. "Saudi Arabia has signed the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and I think it's time to fulfill their commitment to do so," insists Al Omram. Awatif is back at home and has gotten inside the abaya, but still fighting for a fairer world.