Princess Reema defends Saudi Arabia’s right to host women’s tennis tournament

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States, Princess Reema bint Bandar, has passionately defended her country’s decision to host the Women’s Tennis Association Finals amid criticism, countering outdated stereotypes and emphasizing the transformative changes in women’s rights within Saudi Arabia.

In response to a critical opinion piece in The Washington Post, Princess Reema denounced the piece as laden with “outdated stereotypes and western-centric views.” The ambassador, known for her advocacy of women’s rights, expressed disappointment in the perceived snub by the tennis community, asserting that champions of the sport have turned their back on the very women they inspired.

Princess Reema refuted claims that Saudi law diminishes women to the status of property, pointing out that women no longer need guardian approval to travel, work, or be the head of their household. She challenged critics to “get your facts straight” and highlighted Saudi women’s achievements, with over 300,000 businesses owned by women and approximately 25 percent of small and mid-size start-up companies being led by women, mirroring statistics in the United States.

Emphasizing the significant strides in women’s empowerment, Princess Reema pointed to Saudi women entering traditionally male-dominated fields such as the military, law enforcement, and space exploration. She highlighted the reality of equal pay in Saudi Arabia and, in the realm of sports, pointed out that the country boasts over 330,000 registered female athletes, including 14,000 tennis players.

Princess Reema underscored the role of sports in driving social change and empowering women, expressing regret that critics often overlook these achievements in favor of political arguments. Inviting her critics, she stated, “My table isn’t limited by political views, borders, race, or geography,” reiterating her commitment to sharing Saudi Arabia’s narrative for productive dialogue on the global journey of women’s empowerment.