Riyadh: Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz has vehemently denied allegations by some international human rights organisations that Saudi women are deprived of many of their basic rights, saying "these are utter lies and full of exaggerations."
He asserted that Saudi Arabia gives women, who make up nearly half of the population, honour and respect.
Prince Nayef was speaking to reporters after opening a symposium on Saudi Family and Contemporary Changes organised by the Saudi Scientific Society for Meeting and Social Service at the Imam Mohammad Bin Saud Islamic University on Sunday evening.The minister was reacting to a recent report by the New York-based Human Rights Watch, in which it called on the kingdom to end the practice of sex segregation and policies that make male relatives the legal guardians of women.
The report alleged "the Saudi government sacrifices basic human rights to maintain male control over women."
Defending the kingdom's position regarding women, Prince Nayef reiterated that Saudi women are enjoying their legitimate rights ever since the birth of Islam in general and the foundation of the kingdom in particular.
"Saudi society respects women as mothers, sisters, wives and daughters. She gets respect in all respects," he said.
Prince Nayef compared Saudi society, which sacrifices itself and its blood to safeguard the dignity and honour of woman with societies that ignore women so they are compelled to expose themselves on the streets to make a living.
"In some other countries, a woman is regarded as a means to earn a livelihood for men. Why don't these people respect women and give them their due rights so that they need not go out searching for food?"
Prince Nayef added that women's basic responsibility is to bring up the younger generation to have sound social values and a strong faith based on a true creed and it is the duty of a man to look after his wife and children.
Earlier, addressing the symposium, Prince Nayef said the kingdom's basic governing system has made the family a nucleus of Saudi society, raising its members on the principles of Islamic faith. He also warned against the adverse effects of imported immoral ideas.
"It will be difficult for the Muslim family to confront such an imported culture which has freely entered our houses with its sophisticated techniques and methods of temptation," he said adding, "We are counting heavily on such forums in promoting family values and renewing the role of the family, standing firm against all challenges the Muslim family faces."
By Mariam Al Hakeem, Correspondent, Gulf News
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