The Shoura Council has finalized the draft law on sexual harassment that would be approved within a month, Dr. Sadaka Fadil, political science professor and member of the Shoura Council, said. The draft law would then be submitted to King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for approval. The law classifies harassment violations and imposes penalties ranging from warnings and reprimands to fines, lashes and jail, Dr. Fadil was quoted by Al-Eqtisadiya Arabic newspaper as saying. Dr. Fadil also said that the Council suggested that emirates of regions be responsible for enforcing the law; however, this suggestion is being revised and the Council will appoint another body to discover violations and enforce the law. “We need such law in the light of the fact that women labor force has increased. Besides, directives allowing young men to enter malls have been issued recently. The law will fight any form of sexual harassment and put an end to it.” The law regulates mixed environments where men and women interact whether in workplaces, malls or other places and protects freedoms safeguarded by Islam, Dr. Fadil pointed out. The law calls for separating men and women in workplaces including public facilities such as recreational areas, restrooms etc., he added. “This is a common problem that can be found in all societies, with different degrees, of course. It increases in mixed places such as malls and at work and results in many social and psychological problems for victims. Most of the time victims are women and girls. But in some cases women also engage in sexual harassment and the law has also taken this fact into consideration.” A Shoura Council member suggested a year ago a sexual harassment law to combat the spread of this phenomenon in society and now the Council decided to put an end to this problem, Dr. Fadil said. Unconfirmed sources said the new law imposes a penalty which ranges from six months to three years in prison in addition to fines of SR20,000–SR50,000 depending on the type of violation.
