Riyadh - As one of the biggest music events in the Middle East took place in Saudi Arabia in recent days, festival organizers vowed to take extra measures to prevent sexual and other harassment at the venue in Riyadh.
Mass entertainment is no longer a new thing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is known for its strict regulations, but reports have emerged from several local and foreign women that they have been victims of harassment - some of which is documented on video. deafening music, even though it was only a few years ago that public music events were controversial in Saudi Arabia. Men and women were allowed to mingle in concerts, something that was previously prohibited. Famous musicians from around the world should weigh the kingdom's human rights record before deciding to perform. Activists say that if these musicians perform, they are helping to cover up the image of a repressive government. But musicians are not the only ones who think twice before going to a music event in Saudi. Recently there have been reports of repeated sexual harassment of women on a series of major entertainment shows that are now a part of everyday life in Riyadh and elsewhere. In recent years, there have been a number of videos showing groups of men groping. and harassing women. MDLBeast launched a campaign called Respect and Reset to increase protection for women at its events. They promised zero tolerance for harassment. Some in the audience in attendance over the past week have praised their efforts. Since 2018, Saudi authorities have also criminalized harassment, with hefty fines and prison terms of up to five years. But several Saudi women who contacted the BBC said they were not convinced these efforts were sufficient. Neither of the women felt comfortable giving out their identities.
They admitted that they themselves had experienced harassment at mass entertainment venues or knew other women who experienced it. One woman said that comments on harassment videos posted online often blamed women - and that female victims were more likely to be punished by Saudi law as perpetrators. Other women said authorities appeared to only react seriously when foreigners were involved. She added that not much attention was paid when a Saudi woman was victimized, but there were massive protests and harsh punishments when the victim was a female tourist. A third woman said that local women had no real protection - that there was a sense that they were involved, even if they were not. how guilty, just by attending events. If young women report an incident, she says, they can come under fire from within their own families and communities. She claims that recent warnings from security forces banning video recording with cell phones in entertainment venues are meant to prevent incidents of harassment from being documented.
'Shallow change'
People close to Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, and his inner circle say incidents like these are an unavoidable excess in a country that is undergoing a major transition from a very conservative interpretation of Islam to a more liberal society. permissiveness - for example with the abolition of the moral police that used to patrol the streets. The pace of change is certain to accelerate towards the goals set out in the prince's Vision 2030 project - a highly ambitious plan to transform Saudi Arabia by shifting its economy away from dependence on oil , while reshaping its society to suit the expectations of young people. Saudi women feel more freedom under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, including being allowed to drive. Supporters of the prince say the process is still in its early stages - and ask for patience until the changes take place. normal thing. But the p the Saudi woman who spoke to the BBC questioned how inclusive this plan was in reality. They emphasized that women's hopes and concerns were still being handled superficially. They said the issue of harassment was one such example - preventing many Saudi women from participating in events that ostensibly aim to open Saudi Arabia not only to a new world of tourists and influencers, but also to its own citizens.
You must be logged in to post a comment.