June 17th is a big day for women in Saudi Arabia and in many other parts of the world. They are taking it to the streets. They are tired of being suppressed by men, and treated as if they aren't good enough, smart enough or capable. What has caused the big uprising is their inability to drive. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world in which women are not allowed to drive a car or even ride a bicycle despite most Muslim scholars agreeing that there is nothing in Islamic teachings against women driving. Women are forbidden to ride public buses in most of the country, and where it is permitted, they must sit in the back. With no public transportation system, getting to work, school and medical appointments is complicated, expensive and dangerous for Saudi women. The dependence of Saudi women on men for transportation is repeatedly exploited by abusive fathers, brothers, husbands and hired drivers, and earlier this week a Saudi woman reported she had been raped at gunpoint by her hired driver.

Saudi women can't vote, have no property rights and make up five percent of the Saudi workforce; the lowest percentage on earth. Women cannot enter Saudi banks without their husbands, nor can they set up an individual account without their husband's permission. The vast majority of Saudi institutions are segregated by sex, often with unequal access for men and women. When in public, Saudi women and girls must wear the hijab, a traditional Muslim head covering for women, and an abaya, a full black cloak. Analysts have likened the state of women's rights in the kingdom to a kind of 'gender apartheid' with unequal access to jobs, property, education, legal rights and the freedom of movement.

The women have banded together to form an impressive list of supporters for their rights. One of the powerful leaders they are hoping can help is Hillary Clinton. Thus far more than 10,000 people from the United States have endorsed an open letter. They have gained support from over 156 countries thus far. Social networks as well as women's instinctive abilities to connect are in large part the reason women have been able to come as far as they have with this movement. They understand that it is much more difficult to suppress masses of women than one or two who speak out against what is happening. The inequality has led to three major problems that we see everywhere in the world when there is abuse against women.

1. Pediatricians see more abuse with children and the mother of the child.
2. There is more sexual crime against women (rape and domestic violence is not about sex, and it is about power and anger) when you believe you own someone you can treat them as you wish, and usually that does not involve compassion or empathy.
3. Women are uneducated. Countries who suppress a gender or race understand the greatest threat to their way of life is education. The great thing about these Saudi Arabian women is they knew that, and secretly educated themselves. There is no stopping an educated woman, gender or race from achieving what they desire.

I cannot imagine living in a country where I was unable to drive or have the same equal rights as my husband, even though it wasn't that long ago that women and blacks did not have equal rights in the U.S. Many people still complain that our human rights are not equal and that is a debate that goes on and on from time to time. In my experience with working in counseling, I have seen one true and hard fact. The people who need to suppress are also the ones who feel the weakest and have the most to lose. The people with the largest ropes pulling us back are the ones who are comfortable in the hole and fear most the light. 

Point to mention: It seems when a group has been suppressed, they use their anger as a catalyst to help them achieve equality. What will destroy the gender or race is if they seek to punish or seek revenge for their suppression. The key is to achieve equality as well as practice forgiveness. Otherwise one's drive which helped them achieve freedom kills them with hate.