The position of women in Islamic society in general and in Saudi Arabian society in particular is a complex and frequently misunderstood issue. It is certainly true that Muslim and Western views of the role of women show sharp cultural differences but the stereotype of Muslim women, as uneducated, with no rights and with no opportunities is a caricature born of ignorance or malevolence.

The Holy Quran gave women economic and social rights long before such rights were attained by Western women. From the beginning of Islam, women have been legally entitled to inherit and bequeath property, holding their wealth in their own names even after marriage, without obligation to contribute that wealth to their husband or their family. The important role played by the wives of the Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him), in the course of his ministry, sorts ill with the view that Islam in any way undervalues the female half of humanity.

It is nevertheless true that, under Islam, a woman is enjoined to behave modestly in public and that, as in the West until recently, is generally expected to give a full commitment to making a family home – a home within which, incidentally, she enjoys a preeminent role. Such expectations are rather different from those now widely required of women in the West, just as the stability of family life and the security of women in Islamic society differs markedly from the conditions which women now face in Western society.

This said, it would be a mistake to think that the role of women in Saudi Arabian society is confined to home-making. The development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has brought with it increasing opportunities for women in both education and employment. In 1960, the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia undertook the introduction of a national education program for girls. By the mid-1970s, about half of Saudi Arabian girls were attending school. Five years later, education was available to all Saudi girls. By 1980, there were six universities for women.

Under King Fahd, there has been further encouragement to women to take an active role in public as well as in private life. In terms of employment, women now play an active role in teaching, medicine, social work and broadcasting.