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3. Social Reforms in Saudi Arabia: Navigating Modernity and Internal Resistance

Since 2015, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), Saudi Arabia has undergone a significant shift in its social and economic policies. Women's rights, the opening of certain cultural sectors and the management of internal resistance have been central to this transformation. While MBS has positioned himself as a leader committed to modernizing the kingdom, his social reforms have sparked debates over their true impact and the challenges they face in a society deeply rooted in traditions.

Women’s Rights under MBS: A Measure of Real Progress?

One of Mohammed bin Salman’s most high-profile reforms focuses on women’s rights evolution in Saudi Arabia. Upon assuming power, the Crown Prince initiated a series of significant changes aimed at granting more freedoms to Saudi women, who had long been confined to a strictly private and traditional role.

In 2018, Saudi Arabia lifted the driving ban on women, a historic decision hailed by human rights advocates as a symbol of change under MBS. This move was part of a broader set of reforms, including the launch of Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying the kingdom’s economy and integrating more women into the workforce. Saudi women now have access to jobs in sectors previously dominated by men, such as aviation and law enforcement. In an interview with This is Beirut, Bertrand Besancenot, former French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, noted, “We now encounter a significant number of women in businesses and on the job market, especially since 58% of university graduates are currently women.”

However, some observers argue that these changes remain incomplete, as the reforms are accompanied by heavy surveillance by the authorities and resistance within society. The recent crackdown on feminist activists, such as Loujain al-Hathloul, who was imprisoned in 2020 for advocating the right to drive, raises questions about the true extent of these reforms. The liberalization of women’s rights exists within a tightly controlled framework, where individual freedoms continue to be constrained by strict social and legal norms.

“In a country marked by significant contrasts, where culture, religion and tradition are deeply intertwined, the implementation of these decisions is far from straightforward,” says Clarence Rodriguez, a journalist and correspondent in Riyadh for over 12 years, specialized in Saudi Arabia. “Many women are still unable to drive, for example, because their families don’t allow it,” she explains, adding that “without legal recourse, they have no choice but to comply with their elders’ wishes.”

The Impact of Social Liberalization on Traditional Saudi Society

Under MBS, the push for social reforms extends well beyond women’s rights, even though the issue remains controversial. A series of initiatives aimed at opening Saudi Arabia to Western culture and modernizing its international image have been introduced. One of the most striking symbols of this transformation was the reintroduction of cinemas in 2018, following a ban of over 35 years. Saudis, once deprived of movie theaters, are now able to attend film screenings, with Hollywood studios even hosting premieres in the kingdom.

The hosting of concerts and major sporting events, such as WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Jeddah, along with initiatives like the Diriyah Season cultural festival, generated considerable enthusiasm. These events have not only attracted foreign investments but have also helped revitalize the local entertainment industry. In 2021, the government launched the General Entertainment Authority to further promote this sector as part of Vision 2030.

However, this cultural openness did not come without some tensions. “Saudi Arabia is a deeply conservative society, shaped by the influence of Wahhabism, a strict interpretation of Islam,” explains a diplomatic source. “For many Saudis, introducing Western music performances and sporting events marks a break with traditional values,” per the same source. “Preachers and conservatives, who view these events as a threat to the kingdom's religious purity, express their discontent whenever possible. Meanwhile, some segments of the population see these changes as an effort to soften the country’s moral fabric in favor of economic gains.”

Reactions and Internal Resistance to These Social Reforms

While MBS's reforms have garnered some support among younger generations, who view them as a gateway to greater freedoms and a more modern lifestyle, they have also sparked fierce opposition within religious and conservative circles. These groups, which have long wielded significant influence over the kingdom's political decisions, fear that these changes could undermine Islamic values and disrupt the established social order that has defined Saudi Arabia for centuries.

“If he enjoys popularity among the youth today, it is because he has successfully inspired them, especially in terms of job opportunities and the country's social openness,” notes Besancenot. “While society remains traditional, with a population that is increasingly young (two-thirds are under 30 in Saudi Arabia) and more connected, it’s clear that the country is advancing rapidly,” he adds. This is a major advantage for MBS, for whom any opposition represents a significant obstacle to the country's progress.

“This explains why the crackdown on dissenting voices, especially activists and intellectuals who criticize or oppose these reforms and their implementation, has contributed to a growing sense of discontent,” a reliable source explains. High-profile arrests, such as that of preacher Salman al-Ouda for voicing critical opinions, have only intensified the mistrust surrounding the reforms.

According to the same source, “conservatives are especially concerned about the kingdom's 'Westernization,' which they view as a direct challenge to Saudi Arabia's religious identity and traditional culture.” Tensions between modernization and tradition are also evident in the education and cultural sectors. While many young people support the kingdom’s new direction, others, influenced by more conservative perspectives, view these reforms as a “corruption” of Saudi society.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s tribal society—still deeply rooted in its customs—remains wary of top-down reforms, seeing them as interference in private lives and community values, as some observers have noted.

Today, Saudi society faces the challenge of balancing MBS’s push for economic and cultural openness with the need to preserve its religious and social identity. The success of these reforms will hinge on the Crown Prince’s ability to navigate the delicate intersection of modernization and tradition, while also addressing internal opposition that could hinder progress.