Perception of Feminist Ideas in Saudi State and Society

The phenomenon of feminism is especially notable in a country like Saudi Arabia, where the lack of democracy and the seeming abundance of traditionalism have led to the alleged absence of the feminist movement as a whole. Feminism is an uncomfortable topic in Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities kept quiet about it or refer to it as an extremism, funded by foreign organizations, and religious leaders condemn any changes. Thus, feminism leads to greater differentiation between feminists and conservatives, which, in turn, creates a conflicting environment. It seems difficult to establish the legal and economic status of a woman which will be acceptable for everybody. The agenda of Islamic feminists and the agenda of secular feminists do not often coincide, although they have common principles. Although feminist ideas, such as the fight against gender inequality, are compatible with Saudi values, Saudi authorities often only exploit it, using for their own benefit.