More reforms please, King Abdullah

Today I read a troubling article on the website of the International Business Times (IBT). The headline provides a good summary: "Saudi Arabia: 15 year old girl flees marriage to 90-year old man".

This instance is a classic example of a Saudi Arabian arranged marriage, which is entirely legal according to the country's current marriage laws. It was organised by the girl's parents who received a substantial dowry of $17,500 from the nonagenarian in exchange for their 15 year old daughter. Following the marriage ceremony the girl refused to enter the bridal room, barricading herself away from her husband before escaping back to her parents. The girl's husband is now threatening to sue her parents if his wife is not returned to him.

If only the arranged marriage of such a young girl were an isolated incident, not just in the Kingdom, but globally. According to the IBT article, 10 million girls under the age of 18 are married each year in the Kingdom, 1.5 million of whom are reported to be aged under 15 years old. I don't have the exact figures to hand but I'm sure Saudi Arabia is a significant contributor to these statistics.

Clearly intervention is needed, which is where I feel a flutter of optimism, for I do not wish to turn this article into a round of subjective Saudi-bashing. Some readers may remember that I wrote positively of the (albeit) late decision by King Abdullah to allow Saudi women to compete in the London 2012 Olympics. In recent years education for women has dramatically improved. Recently I learned that the Saudi Minister of Labor is experimenting with innovative policies to encourage more women into the workplace. Such policies include hosting open days for women's guardians so they can observe (and hopefully approve of) the conditions in which their wives/sisters/daughters would work if allowed to take a job. Yes, progress is slow. But progress is progress, and in the context of Saudi Arabia should be commended and encouraged rather than criticised for its slow pace.

Marriage seems to be untouched by these gradual but welcome reforms. I am in no doubt that King Abdullah is a reformer; precedent has shown this to be the case. So, King Abdullah, I think it's about time for some more reforms please, preferably starting with the Kingdom's archaic marriage laws.