“When we think of Muslim women, we think of the shapeless, faceless women who serve to obliterate themselves from the landscape. It’s a confronting image. I thought I was prepared for it and live in a completely segregated community, but the depth of the discrimination in the Saudi society against women was something I couldn’t prepare for.”
And so the opening scene to an enlightening presentation was set by Jill Koolmees author of “My Desert Kingdom.”
Jill travelled to Saudi Arabia with her husband in 1997. She undertook a teaching role and while there, spoke to many Saudi women about their experiences. She was surprised that what was deemed as important to a westerner, freedom and equality, Saudi women had other values. These were family, religion and education. In a society that is intensely private, women are hindered in mobility, employment and indeed in many aspects of everyday life simply of the need that men and women cannot mix.
In a recent visit back to Saudi Arabia, she felt a “change in the air” partly because of King Abdullah known as a reformer who is open to new ideas such as finding employment for Saudi nationals. She told us about a new Technical School for Women who complete their technical education and on completion receive support to open their own business.
Her book details are:
“My Desert Kingdom” Author: Jill Koolmees Publisher: Bantam Australia, Random House. ISBN: 1863254374
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