The bicycle freed 19th-century women from their homes and from their dependence on men. I hope that in Saudi Arabia, the car will do the same.
Manal Al-SharifRead
That is life for a Saudi woman: wherever we go, whatever we achieve, we are the property of a man.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the societal dynamics faced by women in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing their perceived lack of autonomy.
Manal Al-Sharif's quote sheds light on the prevailing patriarchal norms in Saudi society, where women's identities and achievements are often overshadowed by their roles as property of men. This commentary on gender inequality emphasizes the struggles and limitations faced by women in their pursuit of freedom and self-identity, reflecting a broader issue of women's rights in a traditional context.
Themes
SaudiWomanPropertyManGenderInequalityAutonomy
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about gender roles, this quote can be used to illustrate the restrictive societal norms women face in Saudi Arabia.
More from Manal Al-Sharif
All quotes →In Saudi Arabia, they always tell us we are queens. We are pistachios. You know the nut? Like something that is protected. So even if you have a very good education, restraints are put on women.
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In May 2011, I drove a car in the city of Khobar, Saudi Arabia, to protest the kingdom's ban on women driving.
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I love my sons, I love my husband, and I love my country. But in kingdoms of men, there are few - if any - choices for women. Or the choices are such that there is no greater pain than having to choose.
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Women's rights are nothing but a part of the bigger picture, which is human rights. Women are trusted with the lives of their kids, even serve as teachers and doctors, but they aren't trusted with their own lives.
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In the Saudi system, women are considered inferior. No matter our age, we have male guardians. We must get permission from men to attend school, to work, to marry, to travel overseas - even to have basic medical procedures.
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