This note was found posted at the door of a dentist’s clinic in Saudi Arabia:
The controversial note, written by an anonymous doctor asks all female patients to come only in the presence of male guardians and reads as: “Dear female patient, in order to avoid embarrassment: Please make sure to have a male guardian with you when you come in for a checkup,”
The seemingly sexist image has been circulating online for quite a few days now and has sparked up debates on Twitter regarding the concept of “Male Guardianship” which is an already sensitive issue in the country.
There was no unanimity regarding the matter since many believed the doctor was only adhering to a rule that met Shariah law parameters whereas others deemed his behaviour discriminatory since there is no actual law in the kingdom that requires a male guardian to be present when a woman goes for a checkup.
Some tweeters supported the doctor;
And some thought it was a matter of personal choice;
Others called the act out with pure anger and a good amount of logic;
Most health clinics in Saudi Arabia do hire female nurses to help during checkups in case female patients feel uncomfortable, which was this person’s argument as well;
Whether this case is somehow against the law of the Kingdom or whether it is just a citizen defending his right to freedom regarding his profession is yet to be seen.
