I am not about to become an apologist for the policies and practices of the Saudi regime, abhorrent as many of them are. However, your editorial (The kingdom’s rulers say they are advancing women by locking them up, 22 May) misses an opportunity to encourage a more liberal approach by Saudi Arabia.
I recently visited the kingdom with a Labour parliamentary delegation. By no means were all of our meetings arranged by the Saudi government and we met many women working in a variety of roles; lecturers, doctors, one a project manager for the development of the new Riyadh metro system. We also came across many women out and about in groups, with their children, or even alone.
There is a very positive view of the proposed changes contained in Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s reform programme. Opening up job opportunities to women without university qualifications (very much welcomed by families on lower incomes) and identifying ways to provide good vocational training to the youth of the country (70% plus of the population is under the age of 35) are initiatives to be welcomed, and are designed to both bring the kingdom into the 21st century and broaden its very narrow economic base.
At no time was I required to wear an abaya. White silk shirt and long silk trousers were completely acceptable even for our audience with the king.
In my many years of fighting for gender equality in the UK I have never believed that change would come overnight, nor that criticising small steps forward persuaded the holders of power to move on and do better. It is in the interests of us all for countries in the Middle East to develop more informed and liberal societies.
Margaret Prosser
Labour, House of Lords
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