RIGHTS organisations expressed their dismay today at Saudi Arabia’s hosting of an international women’s summit while women’s rights activists remain locked up there.
The Women 20 summit (W20) had its virtual launch in the autocratic kingdom today and will run until Thursday, ahead of the G20 leaders’ summit next month.
According to its website, W20 aims to “share and scale solutions to women’s empowerment through (financial, digital inclusion and labour) inclusion, inclusive decision-making and entrepreneurship.”
As Saudi Arabia is hailed abroad for its ‘reforms,’ the reality for women inside the kingdom grows ever more repressive. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, MARYAM ALDOSSARI argues it is time to stop applauding the illusion – and start listening to the women the state works hardest to silence



