Save Amna trends on Twitter as Saudi woman who escaped abusive father disappears

Late on Wednesday, videos of an abused Saudi woman - identified as Amna Al Juaid - pleading for her life, went viral on social media. 

In one of two videos shared by her friends on Twitter, the abuse victim is heard speaking in Arabic, saying: 

"I am recording this video today, because it might be the last video in my life and also for you to know I am real and I am here."

 "If this video comes out, along with other things, then know that something has happened to me," she added. 

In another video, recorded in English, the young woman explained she was verbally and physically abused by her own father.

She then added that after enduring years of abuse, she finally fled her home when her abusive father tried to force her into marrying a cousin.

Al Juaid also stated that she now risks punishment because under Saudi Arabia's male guardianship system, being absent from home is considered a criminal offense, even if a woman is fleeing abuse.  

Even though the kingdom criminalized domestic abuse in 2013, women who suffer from violence at the hands of their male guardians find it extremely difficult to escape and legally charge their abusers.

As both Al Juaid's videos continue to circulate online, thousands of people in and out of Saudi Arabia are sharing them in a bid to help find and protect her. 

Many are also expressing outrage over the violence the young woman has endured and using her case to call for an end to Saudi Arabia's male guardianship system, which renders female victims helpless. 

"If the male guardianship system isn't abolished and abuse victims continue to risk their lives for speaking up, we're never going to advance, not even one step forward." 

"This list of names continues to grow and so does injustice. We're proud of the country's new projects and vision but what about human and women's rights? Are there any improvements when it comes to that?" 

Saudi women activists have been fighting against the country's male guardianship system for years and even though they've made significant strides in recent months, they remain subject to its rules. 

Under the current system, a male guardian, usually a father, brother, or husband, has legal rights over a woman's freedom of movement, ability to work, and other aspects of life.

In April, King Salman ordered government agencies to allow women to access government services without a male guardian's consent.

While the order is considered a positive step forward and a sign that could possibly signal the beginning of the system's end, it still doesn't mean complete freedom for women. 

In fact, in the same month of Salman's order, Dina Ali Lasloom, a 24-year-old Saudi woman, was stopped in Manila airport while attempting to escape her family and seek asylum in Australia.

She was forcibly returned to Riyadh with relatives and has not been heard from since.