Eman al-Nafjan

Eman al-Nafjan
Born Saudi Arabia
Residence Riyadh
Alma mater University of Birmingham
Occupation writer, educator
Children three
Website saudiwoman.wordpress.com

Eman al-Nafjan is a Saudi Arabian blogger[1] and women's rights activist.[2] She was detained by Saudi authorities in May 2018 along with Loujain al-Hathloul and five other women's rights activists in what Human Rights Watch interpreted as an attempt to frighten her and the other detainees.[3]

Childhood and education

Al-nafjan was born in Saudi Arabia, the daughter of a Saudi military officer. She earned a bachelor's degree in English and worked as a school teacher and later a university teaching assistant. She earned a master's degree in Teaching English as a foreign language from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. She then taught pre-med English at a university. Currently she is working towards a PhD in linguistics.[4]

Blogging and activism

In February 2008, al-Nafjan began blogging as 'Saudiwoman', writing about Saudi social and cultural issues with a focus on women.

On 17 June 2011, she drove a car in Riyadh as part of a women's driving campaign during the 2011 Saudi Arabian protests.[2] She began publishing articles in Western media about the campaign to allow women to drive in Saudi Arabia.[5] In September 2016, al-Nafjan signed a petition as part of the campaign against the Saudi male guardianship system.[3]

Around 15–18 May 2018, she was detained by Saudi authorities, along with Loujain al-Hathloul, Aziza al-Yousef, Aisha al-Mana, Madeha al-Ajroush and two men involved in women's rights campaigning.[6][7][8] Human Rights Watch interpreted the purpose of the arrests as frightening "anyone expressing skepticism about the crown prince's rights agenda".[3] Saudi authorities accused the arrested activists of having "suspicious contact with foreign parties", providing financial support to "hostile elements abroad" and recruiting government workers.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Davies, Catriona (14 April 2011). "Ten must-read blogs from the Middle East". CNN. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  2. 1 2 Burke, Jason (17 June 2011). "Saudi Arabia women test driving ban". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 June 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 "Saudi Arabia: Women's Rights Advocates Arrested — Jumping Ahead of Crown Prince's Reforms Risks Jail Time". Human Rights Watch. 2018-05-18. Archived from the original on 2018-05-19. Retrieved 2018-05-19.
  4. ↑ Eman Al Nafjan, Cyberdissidents.org
  5. ↑ "Eman Al Nafjan". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-05-20.
  6. ↑ Female activists detained ahead of Saudi driving ban reversal, 20th May, The National
  7. ↑ Saudi Arabia arrests female activists weeks before lifting of driving ban, By Sarah El Sirgany and Hilary Clarke, May 21, 2018, CNN
  8. ↑ "Saudi Arabia 'arrests women's rights activists'". Al Jazeera English. 2018-05-19. Archived from the original on 2018-05-19. Retrieved 2018-05-19.
  9. ↑ "Saudis detain women's advocates ahead of driving ban lift". ArabianBusiness.com. Retrieved 2018-05-20.
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