KINGDOM

Guardianship abuse has serious implications: Study

Saudi Gazette report


RIYADH — Men who exercise absolute control over the rights of women are considered one of the detrimental problems facing Saudi society, according to a new study.

This tendency represents the harshest form of injustice against women with psychological repercussions.

Despite the advice of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) to Muslims to be kind to their women, some male guardians hold an uncompromising attitude toward women under their care, be they their daughters, sisters or wives, without any justifiable reasons. Such intransigence demoralizes women and results in the loss of their financial rights, the study points out.

Some women continue to suffer from the abuse of their fathers or brothers who refuse them permission to marry, to work, or even to continue their education.

Some of these guardians may agree to some matters that concern women, but often in return for something. Women are sometimes forced to forfeit their salaries to achieve what they desire.

It should be stressed that in Islam a guardian should not exceed his rights and inflict harm upon a woman.

The judicial system states that if a guardian is abusive, the judge has the right to relieve him of his guardianship.

Fatimah Saleh, an elementary school teacher, said her father was very intransigent and rejected her suitors, claiming all those who had proposed to her were unsuitable. She is now 45 years old, and no one is proposing to her anymore.

After her father died, her brother followed in his steps for the sake of her salary, as she has become an ATM cash dispenser for him.

Shorooq Mansour, the only daughter among six siblings, said her father refused her a decent education. When she was 18, she was married to a relative who supported her, and enrolled in literacy classes, where she excelled. Now she has completed her college education and is awaiting to be employed.

Meshael Fayez, a housewife and mother of three, said she suffered a lot because of her brothers after her father's death. Her brothers refused to get her married unless she forfeits her right to inheritance.

At first, she rejected their condition, but as time passed, she complied. She is now happily leading a married life.

Sarah Mohammad said she had won a scholarship to continue her medical education abroad, but her father refused to accompany her because he was too busy, and her brothers would not let her travel alone.

She was dismayed as many of her friends were supported by their family members to continue their education abroad.

Nouf Faleh said she was finally able to cancel her brother's guardianship after he profited from her salary for two years.

She lately got married as a court acted as her guardian and completed the marriage procedures.

Hessah Helal, a housewife, said she was married four times, and her father and brothers did not allow her to get married again.

She filed a lawsuit at a local court, and in the first court session, the judge warned her father and brothers against being intransigent or he would cancel their guardianship. This has allowed her to marry again.

Dr. Mazen Al-Fraih, a family consultant, said one of the most common forms of abuse is the intransigence of the fathers in choosing their daughters' husbands. Some fathers do not inquire about the would-be husband's manners, and religious practices. Other fathers conceal some of the would-be groom’s negative characteristics, just to get rid of their daughters or for the sake of the dowry.

When such a daughter decides to return home, her father exerts pressure on her and prevents her from returning home, forcing her to remain with her husband.

Al-Fraih confirmed that a woman can change her guardian when necessary. If a judge realizes that her guardian is abusing her, or inflicting harm upon her, he can free the woman from such guardianship.