‘Saudi women activism through ‘Sunday Women Forum/Group’
FASSI, Hatoon AL . 2015
Activism in Saudi Arabia takes many forms, most of which are not formal or recognized as activism. The Sunday Women Group (SWG) was established in Riyadh in January 1994 by a group of academics from King Saud University (KSU), mainly from the History Department. The objective was to create a forum to exchange knowledge and discuss ideas. The venue was and still is the members’ homes, and we meet the last Sunday of each month. Membership is based on individual recommendations with a minimal fee for stationary and some outside speakers’ expenses. The number shifts, but the SWG now has about 250 members from all backgrounds, including academics from KSU and other universities, career women, housewives, and students. Although this author established the group, the members have agreed to keep it leaderless. After the first decade we formed a board of ten women comprised of the most regular participants.
Activism in Saudi Arabia takes many forms, most of which are not formal or recognized as activism. The Sunday Women Group (SWG) was established in Riyadh in January 1994 by a group of academics…
Saudi women entered the realm of writing and language only half a century ago through the genres of both creative and journalistic prose.
Saudi women entered the realm of writing and language only half a century ago through the genres of both creative and journalistic prose.