The top exaggerated issue is the "Abaya"( a black cloak is worn over the clothes). A prevalent misconception is that women are supposed to cover their faces/hairs, but actually its only about to cover your body, not covering your face/hairs. Many women are working as doctors, nurses, teachers in KSA and they can be seen with open hairs and face in malls, hospitals. I find it more comfortable to wear an abaya before leaving for a family/friend hang-outs. On the other hand, Abayas have come up as a fashion statement, and new designs are frequently launched by well known international labels.
Secondly, driving ban is no longer a restriction, but in past years women can be seen selling kids toys, candies, chips, water bottles on public places like open parks, theme parks, and walking tracks. Saudi women though have more rights than expatriates. They usually hire a driver for their car, can run a small business but Pakistani women can have difficulties depending on the husband. They have to wait for husband to buy a needle (as buying eatables is not that difficult, every food outlet offers free delivery.
Being a wife of a social husband is no less than a blessing (especially if a husband loves driving), otherwise, most women suffer from(another widespread problem faced by women) depression for staying whole day alone at home with/without kids. The taxi had always been the ultimate solution for the expatriate women if a husband is busy in office meeting/ or non-social.
Before addressing other problems faced by women, I will highlight that how women learned to survive and grow even with these restrictions. Teaching job is one of the greatest blessings, even doctors, engineers, lawyers and IT professionals prefer to join a school as I have witnessed during my school job in Riyadh. Every human on this planet is blessed with a built-in talent, and that talent needs to be explored to bring it to the surface i.e. painter, writer, culinary, makeup skills, reading skills etc. Women who attain the ability to explore their talent, never plunge into depression.
If you have a skill, get on the road with free lessons on a facebook page/youtube video and create your followers. I have seen women in this desert struggling and paving their own way and then growing their own businesses.
Here come other "to-do list" for stay-at-home women:
Malls are mostly open up to families and there is no risk in loitering around with the bunch of best friends/family. Sales are another fascination to go on a window shopping. If you just get fed-up with the shopping, every mall in kingdom offers a wide variety of food outlets in food court section of Mall.
Social media especially Facebook has created many groups where one can find a solution to almost any problem e.g. finding the best pediatrics for your son, finding out the friends for your hangouts, or the best school within your budget, or an update for upcoming events of ladies only in the respective city and much more. Few groups are given below which are active on social media:
- Riyadh Sparkling Ladies (R.S.L)
- Sayyidaat Al Riyadh Club (SARLC)
- Faishon and Beauty bloggers
- Jeddah Home Chefs
- Jeddah creative group
- Dammam Khobar sister group
- Ladies lounge
- Beauty chronicles
Squad bike riding is no less than an adventure to enjoy the desert life of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Women can equally enjoy the bike riding and it had been one of my favorite weekend activities.
Presence of LADIES ONLY theme park is another option to spend quality time with kids and friends. Star city, Al Khaimah(tent park) and Al Hokair land.
- https://www.alhokair.com/
- https://www.starcity.com.ph/
Living in Khobar, Dammam, Jeddah, and Yanbu brings an extra favor of at least sidewalks on beaches OR you can venture out to witness men diving in sea water.
Nonetheless, all complications experienced by women in KSA, while another side of the coin has brought few advantages too i.e. an independent peaceful life at your own home without the interference of others, frequent visits to Makkah/Madina. opening up of cinemas, beach resorts and driving freedom for women are icing on the cake.
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