Former Inmates Detail Harsh Conditions in Saudi Arabia's "Women's Dormitories" or
Saudi Arabia's 'Women's Care Homes': Former Residents Reveal Brutal Treatment
Former inmates of Saudi Arabia's Dar al-Reaya facilities, allegedly designed to provide care and rehabilitation for disobedient women, have spoken out about the treatment they endured in these secretive institutions. Women are punished for displeasing the authorities, according to their accounts.
Investigative reports by the British newspaper The Guardian detail the harsh conditions in these state-run residential facilities, gathered over the past six months from women who were detained there. The facilities, officially intended to houses women who have been rejected by their families for reasons including disobedience, extramarital relationships, or leaving home, function more like prisons than care homes.
Women are committed to these institutions by male guardians or family members, and can only be released with their consent. Without it, they can be held indefinitely.
One young Saudi woman, who managed to escape to exile, described her experience as "hell." "Every girl growing up in Saudi Arabia knows about Dar al-Reaya and how terrible it is," she said.
Activist Sarah Al-Yahia, founder of the Saudi Feminist White-Ribbon Movement, characterizes these facilities as "prisons" rather than care homes. Women are reportedly punished for minor infractions such as not praying, speaking to other women, or revealing family names. Public whippings are a common form of punishment.
An anonymous victim, known as Layla, was detained after filing a police complaint about abuse by her father and brothers. She described her ordeal, saying, "These women have no one. They can be abandoned for years, even without committing a crime. The only way out is a male guardian, marriage, or jumping from the building."
Discussion about these facilities is risky, activist Fawzia al-Otaibi explains, as no one dares to speak about them publicly or inquire about those who are detained.
Human rights group ALQST condemns Dar al-Reaya as "state instruments for enforcing gender norms," in stark contrast to Saudi authorities' claims of promoting women's rights. The organization calls for an end to these discriminatory practices and the establishment of genuine safe havens that protect, rather than punish, women who have experienced abuse.
The Saudia Arabian government denies all allegations, claiming that women can "leave the facilities at any time" without the consent of their male guardian. However, the testimonies and investigative reports contradict this narrative, uncovering systemic mistreatment and rights violations.
Exact figures on the number of women detained or the total number of inmates are unavailable.
Sources: ntv.de, ija
Topics: Saudi Arabia, Human Rights, Women's Rights
- In light of the brutal treatment revealed by former residents, a crucial discussion is needed regarding the employment policy within these 'Women's Care Homes' in Saudi Arabia, ensuring they are institutions providing care and rehabilitation, rather than prisons.
- The health-and-wellness, especially womens-health, of women detained in these 'Women's Care Homes' has been called into question by human rights groups. Reports indicate that women are punished for minor infractions, leading to physical harm and psychological trauma.
- The community policy towards treating disobedient women in Saudi Arabia's 'Women's Care Homes' has been criticized by activists, who see these facilities as a violation of fundamental human rights. This contradicts Saudi authorities' claims of promoting general-news policies that uphold women's rights and well-being.
