Could You Survive in a Hostile Environment?

To see the spires and opulent palaces of the ruling families of Saudi Arabia, you’d conjure fantastic images of the idyllic, privileged life led by those of the upper class. And no matter how extravagant your fantasies would be, chances are the reality would surpass it.

If you are a man, that is.

The fact is, females of all classes in Saudi Arabia are subject to discrimination and violence simply because they are female. Citizens, natives and visitors are all subject to Saudi law, which is harsh and unyielding and favors men in horrific and barbaric ways not even remotely consistent with modern times.

The truth is that the daily life for thousands of Western Women who work in Saudi Arabia is a nightmare, too far-fetched to comprehend without having been there. But registered nurse and author Mary Kavanwal has been there, and she wants the world to read her story.

Kavanwal spent more than twenty years working as a registered nurse in both the USA and Canada, to include contract work in India, Tahiti and the Middle East. She weaves her real-life experiences into her new book, “Surreal in Saudi” (www.tatepublishing.com), a harrowing tale of a Canadian nurse who finds herself thrust into the barbaric Saudi justice system and the shocking, secret world of palace life.

“As Westerners, it’s easy to take our freedoms for granted,” says Kavanwal. “While our culture is not immune to prejudice or discrimination, the systematic hostility women in Saudi must endure is horrifying. Not only are they treated as complete inferiors to men, when women are beaten or raped, it’s not a crime.”

According to Human Rights Watch, even though some human rights laws have been introduced in Saudi they’re rarely implemented or enforced. Women still suffer severe discrimination related to issues ranging from marriage rights, education and employment to appropriate clothing.

Male dominance, abuse, and oppression challenge the book’s main character, Emma, throughout the story. Emma is a nurse who leaves the picturesque beauty of Victoria, British Columbia to work for a hospital in Saudi. When her roommate of just a few days is arrested, Emma witnesses the horrifying conditions of a Saudi prison and the brutality of the judicial system’s punishment.

Sickened after seeing her roommate flogged in a public square to the cheers of a jeering crowd, Emma believes she’ll be insulated from danger when the hospital assigns her to a royal family. But behind the palace walls, she discovers a whole new level of depravity and human indifference.

“Human trafficking, sex slavery and indentured servitude are modern problems in Saudi,” says Kavanwal. “Women and children are the invisible victims. Whether they’re living in squalid conditions, raped and beaten, or held against their will, the inhumane treatment is difficult to fathom unless you’ve actually seen it yourself. “

Emma finds herself fighting enemies on many fronts- the powerful men who employ her, the devious servants who view her as a threatening outsider, and the colleague whose weaknesses could cost them their lives- and knowing whom to trust becomes a life or death challenge. Emma’s Christian faith, values and determination may be her only weapons to help survive the danger she faces at every turn.

“Surreal in Saudi” grabs the reader’s attention from the very first page. Descriptive writing captures the raw emotion and intensity of Emma’s predicament. The story is a real eye-opener to the struggles and abuses women in other countries suffer every day, and it gives readers a renewed sense of appreciation for the freedom and opportunities we have as Americans.

Mary Kavanwal’s first professional writing projects include writing for newspapers. As a registered nurse, she found a niche as a technical writer for the medical community. Her faith in God and philanthropic attitude prompted her to travel to exotic lands such as India, Tahiti, and the Middle East to practice medicine. Immersing herself in these societies, she discovered the diverse and complex facets of other cultures. “Surreal in Saudi” is a fictionalized account of Kavanwal’s own experience in the Middle East. www.tatepublishing.com