JEDDAH — Women are relishing their newfound independence that employment provides them, while admitting, “knowledge and salary have opened up new vistas.” Workingwomen believe that having their own salary allows them to be more financially independent while also giving them courage to face the ever-hanging sword of divorce. They also said they are less vulnerable to violence from their husbands compared to women, who do not or choose not to work. They agreed that having a job gives them ability and stability. The income from the jobs also acts as a deterrent against husbands seeking to control their wives or end the marriage on frivolous grounds. They said that being in a job allowed them to even consider divorcing their husbands, if the situation warranted. The income gave them this confidence and a chance to enjoy a good life, especially those who have a family house, or place to keep their children with them. The workingwomen also believe that the issue of family violence has to be dealt with by the women. “Though employment gives women nerve to touch on this issue, it also depends on the woman's personality and not financial independence.” “Housewives can control their lives and refuse to be violently-abused by their husbands, but financial independence does not prevent woman from being abused. There are many cases of workingwomen being abused,” they added. Working also enhances a women's personality, as interaction with others makes them open-minded, know their rights, and become more knowledgeable. They can also deal with daily difficulties, as their personalities get stronger with this all-round exposure. Money, some felt, was the major cause of friction between married couples. Both when they have it or the lack of it. Some felt that the additional income from the wife would help alleviate the family financial burdens. And if the husband and wife work together in sharing the life expenses, then they would end up sharing happy life experiences. But some, who believe that the husband is responsible to provide for his family, should do every effort to do so. And he should in no way pressure his wife to seek a job to provide for the family. Um Mazen, a Saudi mother of five, believes that workingwomen are less vulnerable to violence. She said that if she had an income she could ask for divorce from her violent-prone husband. “I believe that if I was working and had an income I would leave my husband, I would be able to rent a house and keep my children with me,” she said, adding, her husband abused her because her parents were dead, did not have a family house and had not job or income source. “He married another woman, and, following differences, asked me for divorce and leave my children. It was hard because I don't have another home to go to if I get divorced,” she said. Fatima Ali, a Saudi workingwoman and mother of four, believes that the job has made her strong and independent. Before working, my husband used to abuse me physically and psychologically. “Now that I have my own salary, he knows I can rent a house, buy a car and get a nanny for my children, so he is a changed man,” she said. According to Fatima she threatened her husband after a bout of physical violence that she will seek divorce if he hurts her again. “This I could do, because I had a job,” she added. Though Fatima and her husband are working at their marriage, another workingwoman put an end to the abuse by severing ties with her husband. “Once I got a job, I put an end to the physical abuse by seeking divorce. I faced a lot of verbal and physical violence before getting a job, I held on because of my children. Now I stay in my rented home with my children,” she said.
