In an interview with Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Al Anbar said some female activists had done more harm than good to women’s rights in the kingdom and that any women who aspired to make a change in the country should not depict her country negatively.
“I’m not against women’s rights activists but I am against the methods and approaches that are used by them, which, by the way, don’t befit our Saudi traditions,” she was quoted as saying.
She also criticised activists who spoke to foreign journalists and newspapers and criticised the kingdom.
“What does the West have to do with Saudi women and their rights? Saudi women make headlines today in Western newspapers. This is not right and it should be stopped,” she said.
"Undoubtedly, these acts give the wrong impression about Saudi women. They make others think that Saudi women are constantly oppressed, are always reckless and do not use their minds when making decisions.
"Of course, none of this is true because if it were, why do we have so many Saudi women today who have proved, through perseverance and excellence, that they are successful in all fields?”
However, Al Anbar conceded that a lack of a clear path through which to demand their rights was partly to blame.
“For example, women’s driving was one of the issues that were abused. I support the issue heart and soul but I don’t like the way activists brought attention to it. We can demand our rights without causing any harm to the country’s reputation,” she told the newspapers.
“I want women to drive cars but this should be done according to the government’s regulations.”
Al Anbar called on the Shoura Council’s female members to exert greater efforts and bring important women’s issues to the council’s table.
