RIYADH/JEDDAH: A number of women and the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) have slammed the requirement by the Real Estate Development Fund that women should be aged 40 and divorced for two years before they are eligible for a state home loan. The Real Estate Development Fund is scheduled to receive applications today for loans. Women who meet the criteria do not need to own a plot of land to get a loan, which is part of the “Muyassar” campaign. Hind was angry: “For example, if I'm 39 years and 11 months old, don't I have the right to get a loan? I am astonished that they have placed these conditions on us women. How can they restrict this to widows and divorcees with a minimum age of 40 while conditions for men are easy?” “For example, I am a divorced woman, I have children, I am staying in a charity home and I wish to own a house. But I was shocked that I am not eligible to apply for a loan unless I've reached 40 years of age (for unmarried women). On the other hand, I have a sister, who is 35 years old. She is unmarried and is an employee, but wants to own a house. Should she wait for more years and deprive herself of marriage to get a loan?” Samia Muhammad asked why these conditions are being applied to women. “For example, there is a condition that two years should have passed after the woman has been divorced or has become a widow. If after two years she gets married after obtaining the loan, will she be deprived of it just because she is practicing her right as a woman to get married? Who will accept such conditions?” Sarah Abdul Aziz was equally outraged. “My husband does not fear Allah and he has neglected me for 25 years. I am living on alms from Muslims and staying in a charity home. My husband does not give me any money for our expenses. Why should I be deprived of the right to own a house to shelter me and my children and save us from begging others for assistance?” Fawzia Al-Otaibi was also incensed. “I am a widow for seven years and I am living in my family's home. It can barely accommodate all of us with my children. I got engaged to a man about a month ago, but financially he can barely manage matters. Despite his shortcomings, I consider him to be my anchor in life. However, after hearing about the fund and the special conditions for women, I am thinking of nullifying the engagement to become eligible for the loan and fulfill my children's dream to own a house, even if I have to deprive myself of marriage.” Nada Al-Sheikhi expressed disappointment at the criteria. “I have been a divorcee for a year now and I have today obtained my divorce document. I was happy to hear the news about loans for women, but was disappointed by the clear injustice of the conditions. These conditions deprive me of owning a home to shelter me and my son.” Dr. Saleh Al-Khathlan, Deputy Chairman of the NSHR, said the society is concerned about the conditions for getting loans from the Real Estate Development Fund. It is studying the criteria to make sure there is no discrimination on the basis of gender. “The fund has the right to lay down conditions it sees fit, but without any discrimination against women, especially since the Kingdom has ratified the Agreement for the Eradication of Discrimination Against Women. Article 13 of this agreement states that all countries that are party to the agreement shall take all the suitable measures to get rid of discrimination against women in all areas of economic and social life, to guarantee equality with men.” “We don't know yet what the justification is for the condition that a woman should be a minimum age of 40 to be eligible for a loan. Why shouldn't it be 39, 38 or 41, for instance? Are there any objective justifications for this condition? I don't know. We also don't know why there is a condition that two years must pass following divorce.” As for the legality of these conditions, Abeer Bint Saleh Al-Shibl, a female legal consultant, said the fund has the right to introduce conditions provided they do not infringe on the Islamic Shariah and the general interest of individuals. She said the conditions laid down by the fund contradict the Shariah and the public interest. These include the fact that the divorced woman's application is accepted and then nullified if she gets married. This might prevent the marriage of these women and raise the rate of divorce and spinsterhood further.
