Saudi Female Gaming Market Can Soar To New Heights
New Age Islam News Bureau
19 April 2023
• Saudi Female Gaming Market Can Soar To
New Heights
• Egyptian Female Islamic Chanters Break
Into Male-Dominated Field
• Iranian Women, Girls Continue To Defy
Hijab Crackdown
• Saudi Arabia: Hundreds Of Women Serve
Worshippers At Prophet’s Mosque
• Yemen War: Women Facing Daily Struggle
To Survive
• Muslim World League Chief Criticizes
Ban on Afghan Women's Work, Education
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/saudi-female-gaming-market/d/129603
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Saudi Female Gaming Market Can Soar To
New Heights
Shaun Ahmed
Despite the
meteoric rise of esports and gaming in Saudi Arabia, female gamers,
constituting around half of the country's gamers, remain underrepresented
within the industry, with esports teams predominantly male. (AFP)
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As Saudi Arabia advances toward the
objectives of Vision 2030, esports and the gaming industry have risen to the
forefront of the Kingdom's economic diversification strategy. With roughly 70
percent of its population under the age of 35, the Kingdom is home to an
estimated 23.5 million gamers. There are many amateur and
semiprofessionalesports players in the country, with hundreds of professional
esports players pursuing full-time careers.
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The gaming and esports sector will
contribute more than $13.32 billion to the Kingdom's GDP by 2030, according to
Brian Ward, CEO of Savvy Gaming Group, a Saudi gaming company launched by PIF.
However, despite the meteoric rise of
esports and gaming in Saudi Arabia, female gamers, constituting around half of
the country's gamers, remain underrepresented within the industry. The staff at
most gaming companies in the region are male-dominated and esports teams are
predominantly male, particularly those competing for the most lucrative prizes.
Female gamers face unique challenges
that impede their full participation. During my visit to Riyadh for the Next
World Forum last September, a recurring sentiment I heard among female gamers
was that there is a lack of safe spaces for them. Supportive environments are
essential for nurturing growth and engagement within the gaming community.
Female gamers often resort to hiding or
‘anonymizing’ their identity due to the threat of online abuse and other
dangers in the male-dominated online gaming realm. Reach3, the global market
research firm, surveyed 900 women gamers in the US, China, and Germany about the
issues they face, and 59 percent reported that they hide their gender when
playing video games.
Limited opportunities for women to train
and showcase their talents, along with their inadequate awareness of existing
esports and game development programs, further contribute to the gender
disparity.
To tackle these challenges and unlock
the female gaming market's potential in Saudi Arabia, the government and
businesses can adopt several strategies, including hosting female-only
tournaments. Women-only esports competitions provide a platform for female
gamers to showcase their skills and expand their presence in the gaming
community.
Under this umbrella establishing female
teams becomes easier to provide safe and supportive environments for women to
compete and collaborate in the gaming industry.
Workshops and classes for game
development can foster the advancement of women in game design and development
through education and training programs. Simply, it will enable females to
acquire the requisite skills for game creation.
Establishing female-only events and
teams should not be the only objective. While this helps integrate women into
the esports market, the end goal is for them to compete on a level playing
field with men and have equal opportunities in game development.
Investing in the female gaming market
makes sound business sense and is consistent with the objectives of the Saudi
government. Businesses could experience long-term success in this market as
Saudi Arabia's user penetration is projected to reach 17.6 percent in 2023 and
19.0 percent in 2027.
The growth of the esports industry could
also create jobs for women ranging from game developers and designers to event
organizers and marketers. A team roster, for example, can include roles such as
manager, coach, analyst, mentor, and psychologist. There can also be content
creators and publishers, social media and content managers, marketing
executives and so on.
Cultivating a thriving female gaming
community can contribute to fostering a sense of identity and pride among Saudi
women. As the country progresses towards a more inclusive society, empowering
women to participate in the gaming industry will not only boost the economy but
also enhance social cohesion and national unity.
Ultimately, investing in the female
gaming market will enable the Kingdom to fully harness its young, dynamic
population's potential. By taking the necessary steps to empower and support
women in gaming, Saudi Arabia can emerge as a regional trailblazer, setting an
example for other countries to emulate.
As Vision 2030 unfolds, the esports and
gaming industries must ensure that the female gaming market is not left behind,
but rather, championed and celebrated as an integral part of the Kingdom's
economic and social transformation.
With the right investments and policies
in place, the female gaming market in Saudi Arabia can soar to new heights,
contributing significantly to the country's growth and adhering to the three
themes outlined in Vision 2030's plan: a vibrant society, a thriving economy,
and an ambitious nation.
Source: alarabiya.net
https://english.alarabiya.net/views/2023/04/07/Saudi-female-gaming-market-can-soar-to-new-heights
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Egyptian Female Islamic Chanters Break Into Male-Dominated Field
April 18, 2023
Shaimaa El Nouby, an Egyptian Islamic
chanter performing Islamic religious songs, popularly known as “Inshad,” sings
on stage with Wael El Fashny, during Ramadan at El-Rabaa Cultural Center event
at Al Hussein in old Cairo on Apr. 14, 2023. (Reuters)
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CAIRO: NeaemaFathy became fascinated by a form of Islamic chanting known as “Inshad” after first hearing it at the religious festivals she attended as a child with her family in Egypt.
Then at the age of 17, her mother encouraged her to learn “Maqamat” — the art of singing Arabic music melodies which would prepare her for Inshad chanting. She sought help from singers from the Cairo Opera House.
Now 27, she is the founder of “Al Hoor” — an all female Islamic chanting troupe in Egypt.
“I felt women were underrepresented in this field and I wanted us to take part in developing the art form of chanting,” she said. Inshad chants are songs that praise God or the Prophet and his family.
The troupe was initially met with skepticism as Egyptian society was accustomed to chanting by the male voice, Fathy said. “Some people were waiting to see if these girls will deserve to be celebrated or will they disappoint,” added Fathy.
Shaimaa El Nouby, another Egyptian female chanter, said she faced similar challenges. “I was told that the female voice is forbidden and that I’m only looking for attention.”
A professional chanter with over 12 years of experience, El Nouby has expanded her career by creating the Artistic Heritage Collection Association, which aims to protect Egypt’s artistic heritage.
“I want to develop chanting as an art form while protecting the old schools of Inshad,” she said.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2288886/offbeat
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Iranian Women, Girls Continue To Defy Hijab Crackdown
April 17, 2023
More than a dozen girls at high schools
in Boroujerd suffered respiratory illnesses that families and others blamed on poisonings
on February 21. Hundreds of students, mainly girls, were hospitalized across
the country around the same time.
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Despite a new plan by the Iranian police to crack down more severely on those opposing the wearing of the hijab -- the head covering compulsory for Muslim women -- reports and images published on social media indicate that a significant number of Iranian women and girls continue to resist the measures.
On April 17, psychology and social-science students from Tehran University gathered to protest policies controlling clothing and the security forces' pressure to enforce the compulsory wearing of the hijab on campus.
Iranian women opposing the hijab also continued to post pictures of themselves without the compulsory scarf on social media, in a challenge of the new police plan to identify culprits by using smart cameras.
The commander of the Islamic republic's police force had threatened that starting on April 16, the police would use closed-circuit television cameras and smart systems in cities to identify women without the hijab and send repeat offenders to "judicial courts."
The hijab became mandatory in Iran shortly after the 1979 revolution, by order of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic republic. However, no law had been passed at that time restricting women's clothing in Iran.
Despite more than four decades of compulsory hijab enforcement under the Islamic republic, Iran has recently seen widespread and comprehensive protests condemning the compulsory hijab and demanding the overthrow of the Islamic republic system.
Following protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last September in custody for allegedly violating the strict Islamic dress code for women, many women and girls in Iran have openly opposed the imposed dress code, appearing in public without a hijab.
Numerous protests have been held at universities, particularly in Tehran, where many students have refused to attend class. Protesting students have chanted "Woman, life, freedom" and "Death to the dictator" at the rallies, while some female students have removed and burned their head scarves.
Several Iranian cities have seen a new wave of suspicious illnesses mainly at girls schools sparked by what some have called poisonings, reigniting fears among families after a similar outbreak saw hundreds of students taken to the hospital.
Reports on social media on April 18 noted a surge in illnesses in the cities of Sanandaj, Saqqez, Bukan, Divandarreh, Urmia, Tabriz, Dezful, and Mahdasht Karaj, with several students needing to be hospitalized. That comes after reports in recent days of new illnesses seen in Tehran, Islamshahr, Karaj, Ardabil, Urmia, Qazvin, Babolsar, Hersin, and Shiraz.
Earlier this year, hundreds of students, mainly girls, were hospitalized after complaining of symptoms that included nausea, headaches, coughing, breathing difficulties, heart palpitations, numbness, and hand or leg pain. It remains unclear what might be causing the illnesses, though some of those affected have said they smelled chlorine or cleaning agents, while others said they thought they smelled tangerines in the air.
No one has claimed responsibility for the wave of illnesses that some officials -- including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei -- have characterized as poisonings.
An unspecified number of arrests had been made in five provinces in connection with the incidents, but few details have been made public.
The lack of clarity over the situation has prompted some to say the suspected poisonings are intentional and a scare tactic being used to intimidate females who have protested over the September 16 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody for allegedly wearing a hijab, or head scarf, improperly.
The Telegram channel 1500 Tasvir reported that laboratory samples of students affected by the new wave of poisonings have been sent out of Iran to relevant experts in the field for testing.
The Iranian Teachers' Union's Coordination Council in Iran reported that worried parents have taken to the streets to demand justice for the students. In response, government forces resorted to beating, threatening, and arresting a number of parents, sparking more fear among students.
Source: rferl.org
https://www.rferl.org/a/32369199.html
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Saudi Arabia: Hundreds of women serve worshippers at Prophet’s Mosque
April 19, 2023
Cairo: Over 4,000 women personnel are joining hands to offer various services to female worshippers at the Prophet’s Mosque in the Saudi city of Medina in Ramadan, an official has said.
The month of Ramadan usually marks the peak season for Muslims heading to the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest site in Mecca, to perform Umrah or minor pilgrimage, and visit the Prophet’s Mosque, which houses Rawda Al Sharifa where the tomb of the Prophet Mohammad (Peace be Upon Him) is located.
Assistant General President for Women’s Affairs at the Prophet’s Mosque Fatima Al Tuwaijri said 1,300 female employees and 2,852 volunteers are helping fulfil an integrated operation at the holy site in Ramadan.
“Voluntary work is considered a main prop of human resources at the Prophet’s Mosque. This season, the women’s affairs directorate has been supported by 25 voluntary teams comprising a total of 2,852 female volunteers,” the official said.
According to her, around 13,000 female worshippers visit Al Rawda Al Sharifa per day on average. More than 200,000 women were allowed into the site since the start of Ramadan until the 22nd of the month, she said.
Specific, separate times are set for male and female visitors to Al Rawda Al Sharifa after making reservations via the Nusuk app.
Men are permitted to visit Al Rawda Al Sharifa during Ramadan daily from the time running from the noon prayers until the evening prayers. For women, visits are allowed daily twice: after the voluntary night prayers of Taraweeh until 2am; and after the Fajr (dawn) prayers until 11am.
More than 21 million Muslims performed prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque in the first 20 days of Ramadan, up 49 per cent against the same period last year, according to official Saudi figures.
The figure raised to over 169 million the overall numbers of worshippers who performed prayers at the holy site since the beginning of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic lunar calendar.
Source: gulfnews.com
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Yemen War: Women Facing Daily Struggle To Survive
By Anna Foster in Beirut &Suaad al Salahi in Sanaa
BBC News
17 April 2023
Umm Adel closes her fingers around the rough stone in her hand and gets ready to defend herself. There are wild dogs in the dark street that she's walking down. They're starving and many have rabies.
"Every step I take, my heart is shaking because I'm afraid of the dogs attacking me," she explains. "There are no lights and all the houses are closed, so nobody would help me. I try to walk slowly and quietly so the dogs don't hear me".
She lives in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen.
The United Nations has called the country's humanitarian crisis one of the worst in the world, with two-thirds of the population - around 21.6 million people - needing some form of aid in 2023.
Eight years of fighting between government-aligned forces - backed by a Saudi-led military coalition - and the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels - who control Sanaa and much of the west of the country - have taken a heavy toll on the population, especially women and children.
Female-headed households - like Umm Adel's - face the highest levels of food insecurity, as only a tiny percentage of women work outside their homes in Yemen.
And yet the United Nations Population Fund estimates women are the main breadwinners for one in three families displaced by the fighting.
In her small home, Umm Adel's possessions are piled on the floor in the dirt. Packed into bags, they're ready to be moved at a moment's notice if she and her four children have to leave again.
There's no furniture, so the family sleeps on blankets on the ground. There aren't any pictures on the peeling yellow walls or home comforts. This is a place simply to shelter and to survive in.
Food baskets handed out by charities are in short supply too. Umm Adel has only ever been given one parcel, although she's tried to register herself to receive them many times.
"I have to find wood to make a fire so I can cook rice," she says. "Most of the food we eat is unripe, that's all I can find. My son is unwell, he has spasms, and I can't afford to buy him medicine either."
Although life in Sanaa is tough, Umm Adel still feels safer here than in Taiz, where she's from. The government-controlled city has been besieged by the Houthis throughout the war and cut off from the rest of the country.
"It's dangerous there, people have become savages and they hate each other. I tried to stay there so my kids could be close to their family, but I couldn't continue because nobody helped me."
Yemen's Civil Coalition for Human Rights and Women, a local NGO, says that in 2021 more than 10 million women and girls were in need of assistance.
Maeen Sultan al-Obeidi is a lawyer and human rights activist from Taiz. She's in no doubt about who's bearing the brunt of the conflict.
"The people most affected by this war are women," she says.
"Many have been displaced and lost their breadwinners. Parents are forced to marry their daughters at an early age because of the hard financial situation. Many women have lost their sons, husbands and brothers. For those struggling in camps, there is no education or proper healthcare".
She's also worried about women's day-to-day safety.
"At the beginning of the war the water was cut off, so women had to go and fetch it from faraway wells, carrying it for miles over their heads," she adds.
"The gas was cut off, so they had to trek to collect firewood. In the mined areas, many women have lost limbs in explosions when all they were doing was collecting sticks in order to light a fire to feed their children. This is a war that wiped out everything".
Saudi-Houthi talks bring hope of Yemen ceasefire
At least 109 women have been killed or injured by mines in grazing areas and farms since the start of the conflict in late 2014, according to data collected by the National Commission to Investigate Alleged Violations of Human Rights, a monitoring group established by the government with international support.
Every day, at Mujahid Kamel's small grocery store in Sanaa, he can see how tough the situation has become for his customers.
"People here are so poor, so hungry and depressed," he says. "The cost of transport, oil and taxes makes everything expensive for us to get hold of."
Finding enough to eat is one of the biggest problems Yemenis face. Starvation is a very real threat. The World Food Programme says the emergency response in Yemen was its largest anywhere in the world in 2022, with almost 13 million people provided with either emergency rations or cash to get their own food.
Mujahid says people in Yemen buy goods differently now too. "Often they only have enough money to buy food for a single day. And the very basics are all they can afford, things like wheat, flour, oil and ghee".
Umm Said knows this daily struggle well.
She lives with her family in Sanaa and has been there ever since the war started. She's from Razih, an area in the northern province of Saada that is near the border with Saudi Arabia, and remembers the moment she had to collect together her four sons and three daughters and leave.
"Our home was bombed in an air strike, and completely destroyed. All that was left was ashes and dust," she says.
"We were already living in fear every day because so many places in our area had been targeted. We lost our house and my husband's small grocery shop, and for a while before we came to Sanaa we were forced to live in caves in the mountains for shelter.
"I couldn't stop crying, and the children were the same. We had to live in the dark because even the light from a candle would cause an air strike."
Starting again in a new city has left Umm Said desperate for money and struggling to feed her family.
Several of her sons are now fighting for the Houthis in the mountains, which means she has to support her grandchildren too.
She makes a small amount of cash travelling to weddings to sell clothes and make-up tools to the women attending them, but health problems mean she can't do it as often as she needs to, and the income it brings in simply isn't enough.
"Many nights we sleep without dinner," she says. "My neck hurts and I struggle to breathe, but the only thing that will stop me trying to sell my goods is if I die."
Source: bbc.com
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-65254492
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Muslim World League Chief Criticizes Ban on Afghan Women's Work, Education
In an interview with an Arab media, Al-Issa noted that some women from Islamic countries work at the UN and are engaged in training in all academic fields.
“Muslim women have played key roles throughout Islam's history. There are women from Islamic countries who work at the UN, and they teach at all levels of education. Fiqh (Jurisprudence) universities and senior scholars of the Islamic world and different sects are against this decision of the Taliban,” he said.
However, the Islamic Emirate, in response to the secretary general of the Muslim World League, said that its decisions are made in accordance with Islamic Sharia.
"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is trying its best to make progress in this area, and what is possible and acceptable in our society, we will definitely do our best to achieve it,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.
Meanwhile, participants at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan, released a statement condemning recent actions taken by the Afghan government against women.
According to the statement, Hayashi Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, also explained Japan’s analysis of the situation on the ground--as one of the few major donor countries with a presence in Kabul--and emphasized the need to engage persistently and directly with the Islamic Emirate, while continuing to provide assistance to the people of Afghanistan in cooperation with the international community.
“Regarding Afghanistan, Minister Hayashi expressed serious concern regarding the worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, and, in particular, strongly condemned the recent decisions by the Taliban that suppress human rights, including increased restrictions on women’s rights,” the statement reads.
The UN deputy chief Amina Mohammed in an interview with a foreign media outlet said that engagement with the current Afghan government should continue given the current situation.
“My experience is that we have to continue to engage, we need the international community to come together, as I said, with the neighborhood and put pressure, Muslim communities and countries, the OIC, have to put that pressure,” Amina Mohammed said.
It has been nearly two weeks that the UN's female Afghan employees have been banned from working in Nangarhar province, and this decision of the Afghan government has sparked many reactions.
Source: tolonews.com
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-183017
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