Yes, you read that right: this is the first woman from Saudi Arabia to participate in the Miss Universe pageant. Gang leader ‘Barbecue’ wants to help negotiate the government in Haiti

A few years ago this would have been unthinkable. Now it has become reality: for the first time in the history of Saudi Arabia, an unveiled Saudi woman will take part in the ‘Miss Universe’ pageant that will take place in Mexico in September. “I feel honored to participate in the competition,” Rumy al-Qahtani wrote on her Instagram account early this week.

The 27-year-old is a model and social media influencer with a million followers. She already holds the titles “Miss Middle East” and “Miss World Arabia” in her home country. At the events she wore a long evening dress with a high neck, which she will also wear on the catwalk in Mexico.

The participation of the qualified dental technician in an international beauty contest is a milestone for the desert kingdom, which is characterized by fundamentalist Islam and is increasingly opening up to the Western world.

Restrictions despite new laws

The turnaround was initiated by Mohammed bin Salman, who has taken a number of steps to promote gender equality since his appointment as crown prince in June 2017.

The lifting of the decades-long driving ban on Saudi women in June 2018 marked a turning point for the ultra-conservative country. Two months earlier, women were allowed to take part in a pop concert and attend football matches, which until then had only been allowed to men.

Perhaps the most significant breakthrough for Saudi women’s rights was the law signed by King Salman in 2019 that allows women to travel without their husband’s permission. However, the new rules are not applied consistently. Human rights organizations repeatedly report discrimination and violations of women’s rights.

Saudi Arabia chairs the UN Women’s Rights Forum

Saudi Arabia, of all places, was given the new chairmanship of the UN Women’s Rights Forum. Just last week, Amnesty International called on United Nations member states to re-examine their decision at the annual meeting of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

“Saudi Arabia’s dismal record on protecting and promoting women underlines the enormous gap between the lived reality for women and girls in Saudi Arabia and the ambitions of the UN Commission,” emphasizes Sherine Tadros of Amnesty International.

Saudi Arabia ranked 131st out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gao Index published by the World Economic Forum in 2023. Most women in the country still wear the abaya, a black cloak that covers the entire body. Face veils are also widespread, but, like the abaya, are no longer mandatory.