Harassing Women in Saudi Arabia Workplace may Mean 5-Year Jail Term, P5.97-M Fine

Harassing women in the workplace and other public places in Saudi Arabia may mean a fine of SR500,000 (P5.97 million), if a proposed measure there is passed into law.

The draft law is being studied by the social affairs committee of the Kingdom’s Shoura Council or advisory body, Saudi news site Arab News reported.

“The law aims at protecting honor and prestige and preventing all types of harassment,” Arab News quoted a Shoura official as saying.

Also, under the proposed measure, those who engage in harassing women may face jail term of up to five years.

But specialized courts would have the right to issue alternative forms of punishment.

Badr Almotawa, a political analyst, said the proposed law would potentially deter sexual perverts.

He also pushed for women-only work places and institutions to prevent harassment.

He cited as examples the Kingdom Tower’s third floor and Princess Nora University as “good examples” of women-only areas.

Meanwhile, Almotawa stressed the need to punish those found guilty of drunk driving, saying they endanger their own lives and those of their families and road users.

“They have caused many road crashes in Riyadh, Jeddah and other parts of the country, killing innocent people,” he said.

(Source: LBG, GMA News)