There’s a variety of noise round gender-segregated training in Saudi Arabia. However the Kingdom’s head of human rights says that if it wasn’t for the system in place, many younger ladies would miss out on being educated—herself included.
“I can tell you that we received a lot of harsh criticism on segregating schools,” H.E. Dr. Hala bint Mazyad Al-Tuwaij mentioned on stage in Riyadh at Fortune’s Most Highly effective Girls Worldwide Summit.
“But actually, those of us who come from this part of the world know that if schools were mixed, many conservative families would not have sent their girls to school in the first place,” she added.
Al-Tuwaijri has been president of the Saudi Arabia Human Rights Fee, with the rank of minister, since September 2022. It’s a job that, if it weren’t for same-sex courses, she might not have been capable of work as much as.
“Many of the educated women you see today, including myself, would not be sitting here because our families back then would not have accepted the fact that we’ll be sitting next to boys in high schools.”
Finding out English literature ready her for the worldwide job
Earlier than becoming a member of the world of labor, Al-Tuwaijri earned a bachelor’s diploma in English literature in 1998, a grasp’s diploma in English literature and drama in 2004, and, in 2011, a Ph.D. in American literature and drama all from King Saud College. Trying again, she says the {qualifications} ready her for her present position.
“For people who know a bit about studying literature, it’s not about reading stories,” Al-Tuwaijri mentioned. “Actually, behind every story, there is a culture, history, philosophy, ideas …”
“My focus has always been on the issue of identity,” she mentioned. “What shapes people’s identity and what actually informs the literature they write, whether it’s theater, or performance, or art in general—and that, of course, took me to study the sociopolitical context of these areas, and the ideas, and the philosophical background to where all of this is coming from and where it’s taking.”
“So, without knowing, I was actually preparing myself for looking into a more global platform of issues pertaining to identity, rights, stories, and all of that.”
After graduating, Al-Tuwaijri joined KSU’s employees as a lecturer and likewise labored as an assistant professor of English literature on the college. She labored her method as much as vice chair of the English language division.
Earlier than changing into president of the Saudi Human Rights Fee, with the rank of minister, she was secretary-general of the Household Affairs Council.
“My career has been crowned and honored by this great country and our wise leadership, who celebrated women, elevated their status, and paved the way for their advancement,” she instructed Arab Information quickly after the appointment.
Of her new position, Al-Tuwaijri mentioned: “Saudi Arabia has made great and honorable strides in the field of human rights, and the testimony of just countries and organizations is the best proof.”
This story was initially featured on Fortune.com
