Setting standard for future causes

Jeddah: With many loud cheers, they achieved their goal. But many observers believe Saudi women have accomplished another feat — setting a precedent for women campaigning in their society. This is particularly impressive in a society where rallies and forms of activism are not allowed and where the image of Saudi women abroad is that they are oppressed, depressed and marginalised.

In an unprecedented event in Saudi Arabia, thousands of women gathered to break a global record by creating the biggest human pink ribbon.

According to Princess Reema Bint Bandar Bin Sultan, the leader of the effort to break the global record, Saudi women showed they can stand together and speak with one unified voice for the benefit of their society.

"Zahra is not an activist organisation, we are an active organisation," she said about Zahra Breast Cancer Association that organised Thursday's rally.

Strong message

"We are active in delivering our message — which is awareness of breast cancer. And realising that this affects women and men in our society, whether it is women or men because men get it also," she told Gulf News. "Our other cause is go out to the people who can't come to us," she added, explaining that women in Zahra can reach women in rural areas and talk to these women. "So we are not adopting a confrontational way to deliver our message to our audience, who are our sisters, our mothers and our daughters."

Saudi women are not allowed to drive cars. No woman has become a minister. The highest political position attained is deputy minister of education. No Saudi woman is a full member of the consultative Shura council.

Asked whether Thursday's event would set the standard for future causes that serve Saudi women, Princess Reema said she hoped so. "I would say, I hope that what we can do is show our ladies how we can stand together, a women stand, and accomplish something, accomplish a goal that is clear, that is targeted and that is correct for our society and for how we live."