Outrage as Saudi Arabia picked to head women’s rights forum

Saudi Arabia Chosen to Chair UN Commission on the Status of Women

Saudi Arabia’s UN ambassador, Abdulaziz Alwasil, has been selected as the chair of the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The country’s bid for the position went unopposed, as is customary for posts that rotate among the UN’s five regional groups. The Asia group, which includes Saudi Arabia, unanimously confirmed the Saudi candidacy.

The choice has sparked criticism from rights groups due to Saudi Arabia’s poor track record on women’s rights. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), Saudi Arabia ranks 131 out of 146 countries on gender equality.

What Have Rights Groups Said?

“Saudi Arabia’s election as chair of the UN Commission on the Status of Women shows shocking disregard for women’s rights everywhere,” said Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Charbonneau added, “A country that jails women simply because they advocate for their rights has no business being the face of the UN’s top forum for women’s rights and gender equality.”

Amnesty International also condemned the decision, stating that it is vital for the chair of the commission to uphold women’s rights and gender equality. Amnesty International’s deputy director for advocacy, Sherine Tadros, criticized Riyadh’s 2022 Personal Status Law, which she argued entrenches gender-based discrimination and fails to protect women from gender-based violence.

What is the Situation of Women in Saudi Arabia?

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has promised reform in Saudi Arabia. Women were granted the right to drive in 2018, and wearing the hijab is no longer obligatory in public. However, women in the kingdom still face discriminatory restrictions, such as the requirement to obtain a male guardian’s permission to marry. Women who advocate for their human rights are persecuted, with travel bans and restrictions on freedom of speech being imposed on female rights activists. Women who have expressed support for women’s rights on social media have received prison sentences, some of which are extremely long. The 2022 law also allows husbands to withdraw financial support from their wives under certain conditions.

Amnesty Campaigner Calls Decision ‘Farcical’ in DW Interview

Bissan Fakih, Amnesty International’s Campaigner on Saudi Arabia, expressed disappointment with the decision to appoint Saudi Arabia as the chair of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Fakih called the decision “farcical” and criticized the 45 member states on the commission for not challenging Saudi Arabia’s appointment. Amnesty International is currently working on cases of women being imprisoned for advocating for women’s rights.

Fakih highlighted the case of a young woman who has been forcibly disappeared for tweeting about ending male guardianship and posting a photo of herself without wearing a traditional abaya. Fakih argued that Saudi Arabia’s appointment tarnishes the commission’s credibility to speak out against gender discrimination.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
   • Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family
   • Indicator: Gender Inequality Index (GII)

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels
   • Indicator: Proportion of positions held by women in public administration and managerial positions

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
– Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family
– Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions the Gender Inequality Index (GII) as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. Additionally, the proportion of positions held by women in public administration and managerial positions can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: dw.com

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