Ashwaq Al-Twairqi Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAKKAH – Female Haj guides demanded greater recognition of their role, full memberships in the board of directors and powers to oversee and control the annual budget of tawafa establishments they work for. These demands were made during a meeting organized by Okaz/Saudi Gazette at the headquarters of the South Asia Tawafa Establishment in Makkah. They said they wanted a bigger role and more opportunities so that they could serve the pilgrims better. The female tawafa guides unanimously stressed that there should be a timeline and schedule for them to work throughout the year. According to Fatin Hussein, one of the female guides, female tawafa guides had been working hand in hand with their male counterparts in Makkah for hundreds of years. “Women in this profession have played the same important role men have played in serving pilgrims. Women's work has been negatively affected ever since the tawafa work was reorganized under a new law in 1983.” Dr. Samira Banani said the Tawafa Establishment of Arab Pilgrims devolves the responsibility of taking care of the health of women pilgrims to female guides. Dr. Wafa Mondhir noted that women are given responsibilities only during the Haj season and these responsibilities are limited. Besides, their roles depend on the number of pilgrims and the level of services provided by each establishment to its pilgrims, Mondhir added. On her part, Shadiya Janbi believes that important responsibilities and duties are given to women who are well-connected and have relatives on the board of directors of a certain establishment. “Women who don't know any influential people on the board will be excluded and not given any responsibilities.” Janbi also demanded that women who work in the tawafa field should be allowed to volunteer as scouts during the Umrah and Haj seasons and help their male counterparts in their duties, such as searching for lost pilgrims inside the Grand Mosque and the ritual sites. Janbi said tawafa establishments should include female guides in discussions about the annual budget and their opinions should be given due consideration. Dr. Wafa Mahdar talked about the training given to female tawafa guides in a short time. She called for conducting these programs throughout the year instead of organizing them a month or two before the Haj season. Wafa Bana suggested that Tawafa establishments should create permanent job opportunities for women and their daughters who could not find employment in the private and public sectors. Bashayer Koshak reiterated the importance of developing the role of female guides. At the same time, she lauded the language and first aid courses given to them by South Asia Tawafa Establishment. Iman Basha said women were given very limited roles and were not given a chance to participate in related activities.
