Different Perspectives on Womens Rights In 1995, Amnesty International released a report called Human Rights are Womens Rights,

which states that no country in the world treats its women as well as its men. Indeed, most women hold this view, and there is substantial evidence to support it. However, my article is not about womens woes; it is about the different views on gender inequality, and the conflicting opinions about how to solve the problem. For the purpose of this article, two main regions will be compared, highlighting the fact that, perhaps, the world should stop basing its idea of womens rights on Western ideals. The Persian Gulf countries are renowned for their conservatism, and have been heavily criticized by the Western world for repressing their women. Saudi Arabia, a country that has often made headlines in the West and sparked long discussions about the dismal condition of women in the Middle East, has had its gender policies named a crime against humanity. Many Westerners hope to see dramatic changes in such countries; however, according to Saudi journalist Maha Akeel, there is evidence that most women in the Persian Gulf do not want this, and that Westerners criticize what they do not understand. Often described as a radical activist by her peers, Wajeha al-Huwaider has campaigned for the rights of women for many years. Although cheered by womens rights activists in the West, many women in the Gulf region have described her views as very Western, and refuse to support her. Sabina Jawhar, another journalist, has suggested that people do not find al-Huwaiders beliefs very attractive because she refuses to acknowledge the fact that this has always been our way, and change can only take place over time, not immediately. All the women mentioned so far agree unanimously that women in the Gulf region should be granted more rights. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that all countries have their flaws when it comes to this issue. After all, even in Western countries, women continue to be paid less than their male colleagues. Many argue that the only way to solve this problem is by granting these countries more time. Yes, there are changes happening, even though theyre taking place slowly. But slow change will help the women of the Persian Gulf to get used to the idea of, for example, running for al-Shura, a kind of parliament). On the other hand, several people want governments to take radical steps to ensure that women are treated as equals to men. The majority of those who live in the Gulf region believe that giving their society more time is the best option and anyway, they dont want radical change. Numerous things obviously need to be improved, but is morality not a product of culture? Maybe, suggests Sabina Jawahar, some things should be left as they are.