Each country seems to have its own marriage seasons, and for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the approach of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Foreign Scholarship Program rings an alarming bell for girls with ambitions to pursue their education abroad.
Marriages of convenience has grown increasingly common in the kingdom, but they have usually been associated with the marriage of Saudi men to expatriate girls for the financial benefit of both parties. Recently, marriages of convenience are taking a new form as Saudi female students pursue husbands in order to enroll in scholarships and study abroad, according to a report in a local publication .
The situation in the KSA appears to be quite oxymoronic as the state invests in greater education for women and pushes for the right of girls to work, but all under a law that denies them the right to travel, study abroad or marry without the permission of a mahram (male guardian) – a father, brother, husband or uncle.
“I was married and parted ways after marriage, because my husband refused to send me abroad to pursue my academics. And people may judge me, but my father did not agree to send me abroad unless I got married and let my mahram decide,” Kholud Sajid, a medical student, tells Arab News.
Even though Saudi customs and laws place severe restraints on Saudi women, many of them have decided to take matters into their hands and have sworn not to be forced into marriage or forget their dreams for a successful academic life.
As ambition continues to outgrow societal shackles, the KSA is witnessing a growing number of women in their 30s who prefer to stay single as they pursue other goals in life.
But for those whose dreams are at the whim of a mahram’s approval, the ultimate solution boils down to marrying someone who shares their aspirations to study abroad, a perk that now seems to glitter brighter than money and cars.