The New Saudi Stereotype

Daniah Al Aoudah says it is time to redefine how we see the kingdom’s women.

- Daniah Al Aoudah

Let’s be honest here: no matter how much I want to believe we live in a world that embraces our differences, the mere fact that I’m a Saudi woman is accompanied by one stereotypical image, expressed via 10 myopic questions. Am I oppressed? Am I educated? Am I allowed to ride a camel since driving is still banned? Do I know anything of modernity and technology? Do I own an iPhone? Do I even know what an iPhone is? Do I live in a segregated community where I’m only allowed to communicate through a veil? Am I allowed to speak and express my mind? Am I allowed to work? Are there even jobs for women in Saudi?

And all of these myopic viewpoints have been circulating – as though on a hamster wheel – for years. It’s a reality all of us Saudis live, when meeting someone from abroad. And no matter how hard I provide evidence to the contrary, my explanations are always received with wry smiles and a comment that goes along the lines of “But the rest of the country isn’t like you.”

What is a fun-loving and educated woman to do in such circumstances?