• GrymEdm@lemmy.world
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    19 hours ago

    First off, please be safe in answering this or even decline to altogether if it’s better for you. I legitimately do not know how communication is monitored or if there are consequences to answering questions like mine.

    What do I, as a Canadian man exposed to almost exclusively Western media, likely get wrong about your life experience? I guess the big message I see is that women in Islamic countries are restricted or outright oppressed by men. I hear about forced marriages (often young by Western standards), prohibited clothing, and no financial independence among other complaints. I read a lot that is said to be evidence of that, but I’d like to know your take on a female life if you can safely say.

    • asunriseworthseeing@lemmy.worldOP
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      19 hours ago

      Since MBS took over things have changed. Mutaween (religious police) dont bother use in public anymore, hijab / abaya is no longer mandatory - you just have to dress modestly (I don’t cover my hair for example and nobody says anything), we can drive, there are concerts now (BTS, Blackpink, Bruno Mars, etc. big international acts), women are the majority university students and many work… things used to be bad in the past in these regards but now it’s alright.

      • GrymEdm@lemmy.world
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        18 hours ago

        Thank you for answering and I’ll let your experience move my views. I’m also really happy to hear about things like driving, working and education rights that are making Saudi females’ lives better. Best wishes from Canada :)

      • Varyk@sh.itjust.works
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        18 hours ago

        wow! I had no idea those policies had changed with MBS in charge.

        The repressive culture against women was a pretty big reason why I haven’t visited.

        I travel a lot, and I’ve had the opportunity but never the invlination to visit specifically because of the reported oppression.

        thank you for sharing.

        PS, I read your other comments and are there any cities you would say are more walkable than others?