RIYADH - A visiting UN official called Wednesday for greater participation of Saudi women in society so as to avoid "an incredible waste of human resources here."Yanik Erturk, the special United Nations rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on Violence against Women, said at a press conference here that while her 10-day visit to the Kingdom has given her hope about improvement in the condition of Saudi women, more is needed to be done.
"I have met many high-level educated women, and I see an incredible waste of human resources here," said Erturk. "Half of society can't contribute."
Ertuk noted that women's access to education, which has resulted in the significant improvement in the literacy rates for women in a relatively short period of time, was a positive improvement achieved by the Saudi government.
"Women are enjoying free and close to full access to primary, secondary and tertiary education, where the ratio of girls attending school is equal to or higher than that of boys," she said.
However, Erturk said that women still have limited access to higher education in some fields.
Erturk's findings also concluded that in the public sector, with the exception of participation in the health, education and social fields, women still lack access to employment in ministries such as the Ministry of Justice and Interior and they are excluded from decision-making positions.
She noted in particular the absence of women members in the Council of Ministers, Shoura Council, and on the board of the Human Rights Commission.
During the press conference, Erturk addressed the need for judicial reform, the overall participation of women in society, work force and decision-making, violence against women and the conditions of foreign female workers.
"There is urgency for judicial reform," said Erturk. "The judiciary reform which is already in progress is important to bridge the gap between traditions, law and what is being implemented."
The special UN rapporteur also addressed the issue of codification of law and the need for establishing a family law, looking into guardianship, and women's access to the judicial system.
Erturk noted progress in Saudi media coverage of women's issues. "The media is the most important element in supporting women's issues," she said. "I am impressed by the coverage women's issues are getting, and encourage it to go further."
"I congratulate the media for engaging in the issue of violence against women but more has to be dome to increase awareness."
Erturk also expressed her gratitude to the Saudi government for inviting her to the Kingdom and also for all the support they provided her during her visit.
"The Saudi women I met had diverse voices, aspirations and demands," said Erturk. "Among the Saudi women I met there were those who have expressed contentment and satisfaction with their lives, while others have raised concerns of serious levels of discriminatory practices against them."
"I also met foreign women married to Saudi nationals and migrant domestic workers who face additional vulnerabilities."
Erturk spoke about her visits to the safe houses for domestic workers and the Social Protection centers in Jeddah and Dammam.
"I met with many migrant workers in safe houses and hundreds in Riyadh prison, this morning" said Erturk. "I believe that both the sending countries and the host country have obligations to ensure protective measures for the safety of these workers who are uninformed, uneducated and mostly illiterate themselves," said Erturk.
The behavior of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice grabbed Erturk's attention during her visit to the Kingdom. "These law enforcers are responsible for maintaining morality in public places. Although they are required to act in concert with the police and under certain limitations with respect to arrest and detention of people, they reportedly often act independently; as a result they are said to be responsible for serious human right abuses....," she said.
During her 10-day visit to the Kingdom, Erturk did not meet with the Commission or with Yara, the businesswoman who was arrested by the Commission for having coffee at Starbucks in Riyadh with her male colleague.
By Susan Zawawi from the Saudi Gazette
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