Daily Times

Another Saudi woman has turned to social media for protection from her father, just days after Canada granted refuge to Rahaf al-Qunun, the 18-year-old Saudi who fled her family. Identified only as Nojoud al-Mandeel on Twitter, her case differs from al-Qunun’s — she hasn’t fled the kingdom, has not revealed her face and has only made her pleas for help on Twitter in Arabic. While their circumstances are different, the claims of abuse by the two women mirror those of other female Saudi runaways who have used social media to publicize their escapes. There has been speculation that al-Qunun’s successful getaway will inspire others to copy her. However, powerful deterrents remain in place. If caught, runaways face possible death at the hands of relatives for purportedly shaming the family.

Published in Daily Times, January 18^th 2019.