Saudi women talk of "age-old traditions" that hold them back

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Riyadh (dpa) - Saudi women continue to be held back and frustrated in expressing their talent because of the "age-old traditions" that restrict them, according to several quoted Saturday by al-Riyadh.

One quoted by the newspaper, and identified only as Mariam M, said most men still believed that "the mere mention of the word mother, sister or wife is a disgrace that should be hidden."

She added: "In addition, some men suffer from a superiority complex over women, so they often resort to destructive means so women no longer write a novels or stories."

Mariam said that when she was in primary and preparatory school, her mother and father used praise her writing, prompting her to dream about publishing a novel.

"I became obsessed with the dream of publishing a novel but I was shocked by the reaction of my brothers," she continued.

"They were living in their own world, and when I made public my idea of publishing a novel, they looked at me as if I made a huge mistake."

Another woman, identified as Hawa F, said she tried to publish a series of short stories that she had been writing for three years.

"My husband has always made fun of my writings, although I was convinced they were good, and when he sees me writing he tries to keep me occupied with many other demands.

"I tried to discuss the matter with him but we always end up screaming at each other - so that's why I decided to avoid disputes and only resort to my notebook when he's away."

Many intellectuals complain that Saudi men have yet to discover the value of writing as a means for women to educate themselves, and are unwilling to understand the importance of this.

Al-Riyadh quoted another woman named Dalal as saying that she had decided to "cut short my hopes because, I do not want my pen to get broken."

Other women were quoted as saying Saudi society was still under the influence of the culture that favours killing women at birth, known as "Wa'd", prevalent before the kingdom embraced Islam.