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Abdelmoez on gender and technology in Saudi Arabia

Photo of Joel Abdelmoez. Photo.

In this article, Joel W. Abdelmoez, PhD student in comparative politics in the Middle East, explores how gender politics in Saudi Arabia has been represented in English-language media in the context of new reforms and digital technologies.

The smartphone application "Absher" has received a lot of criticism, and this study gives an overview of the features that have been most controversial and how the representation of these is based on Orientalist notions of Islam and Saudi Arabia.

Author: Joel W. Abdelmoez

Title of the publication/article: Good Tidings for Saudi Women?  Techno-Orientalism, Gender, and Saudi Politics in Global Media Discourse

Link to the publication/article: https://cyberorient.net/2022/09/22/good-tidings-for-saudi-women-techno-orientalism-gender-and-saudi-politics-in-global-media-discourse/

Abstract

Gender equality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is still a contentious and hotly debated issue, both within the country and in global news media as well as social media. Not least has the government app “Absher” drawn attention and criticism, due to features that allow male guardians to track their female dependants, issue or withdraw travel permits, and file for divorce at the click of a button.

This study aims to explore the campaigns and debates around the app, and how it has been represented in global media. Focusing mainly on social media campaigning by journalists, activists, as well as the Saudi government, I hope to shed light on the different sides of the debate, and what the representation of Saudi Vision 2030, the reforms and the app, particularly in European and American media discourse, tell us about popular imaginations of Islam, technology, and gender.


Joel Abdelmoez profile in Lund University research portal