Saudi Surprise

Guess who's in charge of gender equality at the UN:

Sherine Tadros, the head of the New York office of Amnesty International, told The Guardian, “Whoever is in the chair, which is now Saudi Arabia, is in a key position to influence the planning, the decisions, the taking stock, and looking ahead, in a critical year for the commission.” “Saudi Arabia is now at the helm, but Saudi Arabia’s own record on women’s rights is abysmal, and a far cry from the mandate of the commission.” The Personal Status Law passed in 2022, which the kingdom points to as proof of “progress,” still requires that women must have the permission of a male guardian to marry regardless of their age or former marital status. If a woman refuses to have sex with her husband, does not live in the marital home, or dares to refuse to travel with him without a “legitimate excuse,” withdrawal of financial support is justified under the law. More disturbingly, women who openly speak out for human rights reforms can be imprisoned, face travel bans, and are unable to speak freely.

But don't tell them that...