Saudi Arabia: Awards to Female Journalists
In another push by Saudi Arabia to recognize women’s accomplishments, the Prince Ahmed Bin Salman Institute for Applied Media in Riyadh has created a new prize for distinguished Saudi female journalists. The prize – which are scholarships adding to more than $80,000 -- will be given for three categories: best journalist, best writer, and print media. Here’s the article from the Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat.
What is hardly ever read – or perhaps not even written—about Saudi Arabia is the strong push toward modernized education in Saudi Arabia… and a stronger push toward education for women. More universities are being built in Saudi, and Saudi has one of the largest population of Middle Eastern students (men and women) who attend universities in the United States. A common misconception about Islam [since Saudi Arabia is ruled by Islamic law] is that women are kept tucked away from society and silenced by their veils. That’s why I found this article as proof that women are rewarded for using their power of voice. As more businesses open in the Middle East – particularly in Gulf States and Saudi Arabia -- women are emerging as an essential part of the Saudi workforce. These jobs mostly include work in the arts, like journalism and graphic design.
The Middle East is not typically recognized by its freedom of press or gender equality, but in this case I find the encouragement of women to write—and be awarded for doing it well — a tangible plan set in motion toward the country's intellectual growth.
Lara Salahi