Monday, January 2, 2012

Saudi Arabia to enforce law for women-only lingerie shops



Riyadh backs campaign for women-only shop staff despite opposition from hardline clerics

guardian.co.uk, Monday 2 January 2012

"Saudi Arabia will begin enforcing a law that allows only females to work in women's lingerie and apparel stores, despite disapproval from the country's top cleric.

The 2006 law banning men from working in female apparel and cosmetic stores has never been put into effect, partly because of view of hardliners in the religious establishment, who oppose the idea of women working where men and women congregate together, such as malls.

Saudi women – tired of having to deal with men when buying undergarments – have boycotted lingerie stores to pressure them to employ women. The decision to enforce the law requiring that starts on Thursday.

The kingdom's religious police enforce Saudi Arabia's strict interpretation of Islam, which prohibits unrelated men and women from mingling. Women and men in Saudi Arabia remain highly segregated and are restricted in how they are allowed to mix in public....."

No comments: