In an interview published February 9, 2010 in the mainstream French daily Le Figaro, Saudi Princess 'Adelah bint 'Abdallah described her efforts to improve the status of women in the Saudi kingdom and positioned herself as a reformer and advocate of modernity.
The following are excerpts from the interview:
"There Is No Limit [to What a Woman Can Do]"; Women "Should Contribute in All Fields"
On the subject of women's emancipation, Princess 'Adelah said: "There is no limit [to what women can do]. We should contribute in all fields, [even if] indirectly. For example, when [Saudi Arabia] amended its law on foreigners married to Saudi women, dozens of academics were consulted, including many women"...
"Many [laws pertaining to women] must be changed. Saudi women are much more educated [than they used to be], and the government cannot ignore all these remarkable [women], many of whom are in prominent positions".
Responding to a question on women being allowed to run a business, the princess said that Saudi law already permits them to run a business without the guardianship of a man, but added, "Often this law is not enforced. Some people in the government prevent its implementation. They either do know about it or are opposed to it. The Khadija bint Khuwailid Center in Jeddah, of which I am honorary president, has published a guide for women who wish to open a business."
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"A 12 Year-Old Girl Should Not Be Allowed to Sign a Marriage Contract, Even If the Parents Agree"
Turning to the topic of child marriages, the princess said: "I am also fighting violence against women and children, with the support of the Grand Mufti and the King. The press has written extensively about [a recent case of] a 12-year-old girl who was married to an 80-year-old man... Forcing [even] an 18-year-old girl to marry a man she does not like is a form of violence. But a 12-year-old girl should not be allowed to sign a marriage contract [at all]. Even if the parents agree, it is unacceptable. We are dealing with this issue, and will not leave things as they are."
She added, "[The problem is that] there is no [minimum] legal age for marriage, [though] several institutions are striving to establish one. My father [the King] is concerned about this issue..."
On the Veil Debate in France: The Full Veil Should Be a Woman's Free Choice; However, It "Should Not Be Allowed in Places Where One Needs to Be Identified for Security Reasons"
The princess also spoke of the veil debate in France: "[The full veil] is a matter of tradition rather than religion. Here [in Saudi Arabia] you find some women who cover their faces, [and others that cover only] their hair or wear a simple headscarf. Personally, I see no objection to wearing a scarf the way I do, in a more Islamic fashion. As for the veil that covers the face, why should it be a problem if it is [the woman's free] choice? However, it should not be allowed in places where one needs to be identified for security reasons."
On the mixing of men and women, 'Adelah added: "I do not see why men and women should not maintain respectful relations in the workplace, as they do in hospitals or during pilgrimage to Mecca. It will come gradually, once people become accustomed to it and once laws against [sexual] harassment are passed."
On Women's Driving: "We Use All the Tools of the Modern World – Why Not This One?"
About the issue of allowing women to drive, the princess said: "It is not up to me to decide [when women will be allowed to drive]. I hope the public [ultimately] settles this debate, which does not merit all this fuss. [Women] use all the tools of the modern world, [so] why not this one [i.e., a car]?"
Finally, the princess responded to a question about Facebook, saying: "My five children, three girls and two boys aged 14 to 25, are all on Facebook! When they were younger, I used to monitor them, but now I trust them. We should teach our values to our children, but we cannot watch them all the time."
