Saudi teen asylum seeker spotlights strangling male guardianship

You're referring to the case of Rahaf Mohammed Al-Qanun, a Saudi Arabian teenager who fled her country and sought asylum in Australia in 2019. Her case drew international attention and highlighted the controversial practice of male guardianship in Saudi Arabia.

For those who may not be familiar, in Saudi Arabia, women are required to have a male guardian (usually a father, brother, or husband) who has legal and financial control over their lives. This means that women need their guardian's permission to make important decisions, such as getting married, traveling, or accessing healthcare.

Rahaf's case was particularly notable because she was fleeing an abusive family situation and sought asylum in Australia. However, her attempts to leave Saudi Arabia were complicated by the fact that she was a minor and required her father's permission to travel.

Rahaf's story sparked widespread outrage and calls for reform of the male guardianship system in Saudi Arabia. Many people argued that the system is a form of gender-based discrimination and restricts women's freedom and autonomy.

In response to the international pressure, Saudi Arabia's government has taken some steps to reform the male guardianship system. In 2019, the government announced that it would allow women to travel abroad without a male guardian's permission, and in 2020, it passed a law allowing women to register their own marriages and divorces.

However, many activists argue that these reforms are insufficient and that more needs to be done to address the systemic issues of gender inequality and discrimination in Saudi Arabia.

Rahaf's case has also highlighted the challenges faced by women who are seeking to escape abusive or restrictive situations in Saudi Arabia. Many women are forced to flee their homes and seek asylum in other countries, often facing significant challenges and risks along the way.

Overall, Rahaf's story has brought attention to the ongoing struggles of women in Saudi Arabia and the need for greater protections and freedoms for women around the world.