In this article, it talks about how women are boycotting lingerie stores because most only allow males to work there and they want women-run stores. The women are sick of being embarrassed when they buy underwear and have to ask a man to fit them. Oh, and by the way, they are not allowed to have fitting rooms because they do not want women changing clothes in a public space and in the presence of a man, so they don't even know if the things they buy actually fit them. It may sound like a silly thing to make a big deal about, but these women deserve the right to buy underwear without feeling ashamed or embarrassed.
But what boggles my mind is that if they are so incessant on keeping men from looking at women, then why exactly are they letting men work in a store where they sell intimate clothing for women! It really doesn't make sense to me. This is basically just contradicting all of the laws that they have made up to prevent this.
Women's rights in the Middle East are so far behind what we are accustomed to in the West and although this is just a minor thing, it is reassuring that the women are fighting against it.
I definitely agree that this is a terrible situation for women in the middle east to have to deal with. I worry though, that although they are standing for for themselves and boycotting these stores, how much of an effect will this really have? Women's rights in the Middle East are based on a much different value system than that of Western Countries, and I feel as though boycotting these stores will do little to change policy. Eventually women will have to return and I do not forsee the shop owners or retail owners really giving in. It would be extremely difficult for them to contradict decades of social and moral tradition and to suddenly allow women more rights because of a boycott.
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