Wadjda a movie directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour, is a Saudi Arabian film. This is the first film to be shot by a female director in Saudi Arabia. The film follows a young girl named Wadjda who has a dream of owning a bicycle, a simple wish that represents a much larger social and cultural issue in the Arab world. Throughout the film, issues of gender inequality and limitations imposed on women in Saudi society come to light. The film depicts how Wadjda’s experiences reflect that of many women in Saudi Arabia who face similar cultural obstacles.
The issue at hand in Wadjda is gender inequality which is portrayed through the challenges the protagonist faces in pursuing a simple dream of riding a bicycle which is an everyday activity for a boy in Saudi Arabia. The movie is set in Saudi Arabia a society with strict rules around women’s behavior and movement. Wadjda’s desire to ride a bike symbolizes a much greater hope for freedom and autonomy that many women in Saudi Arabia experience. Saudi Vision 2030, a reform initiative by the government, aims to improve many gender disparities by fostering women’s empowerment and increasing their workforce participation (Parveen, M. 2022). Even though there are efforts by the government to encourage progression societal barriers persist, making the film’s message of equality relevant. This film creates ongoing conversations about gender rights in Saudi Arabia.
Gender inequality is not only a social issue but also an economic concern. Gender inequality affects multiple areas, including employment, personal freedom, and social expectations. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, Saudi Arabia ranks 146th out of 153 countries, indicating significant room for progress (Parveen, M. 2022). The country’s Vision 2030 reform plan discusses goals to increase female participation in society, highlighting women’s potential to contribute to society and have rights of their own. According to Empowering Saudi Women through vocational skills, vocational programs have proven effective in giving women economic independence and self-esteem, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic (Alajlan, S. M., & Aljohani, 2024)
Wadjda is a powerful reminder of the desire for personal agency and autonomy throughout cultures all over the world. The film’s portrayal of Wadjda left the viewer feeling inspired and provoked hope to challenge societal norms. This resonates with my understanding of the importance of autonomy and equality especially in spaces where women are oppressed. As a viewer I connected with Wadjda, living as an Arab woman has felt restricted to do many things men can do with no hesitation.
Through the story of a young girl and her dream of riding a bike, Wadjda depicts the complex issues of gender inequality, the film underscores the struggles of women in conservative societies offering hope and conversation for change. This film has created depictions of women’s rights and lack of freedoms so it can contribute to a deeper understanding of gender dynamics in Saudi Arabia to the rest of the world.
References:
Parveen, M. (2022). Women empowerment: New paradigm shift of Saudi women into labor workforce. Society and Business Review, 17(1), 66–91. https://doi.org/10.1108/SBR-10-2020-0123
Alajlan, S. M., & Aljohani, O. H. (2024). Empowering saudi women through vocational skills. Australian Journal of Adult Learning, 64(1), 82-104. Retrieved from https://login.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/empowering-saudi-women-through-vocational-skills/docview/3058870027/se-2