After plotting for years to flee their father and brothers, who they say were abusive, the two young women are hoping for a bright, beautiful future.
18-year-old Saudi woman was granted asylum in Canada after fleeing her family and barricading herself in a Bangkok hotelRahaf Mohammed Alqunun's case drew global attention to Saudi Arabia's strict social rules, which rights groups said could trap women and girls as prisoners of abusive families.
Saudi teenager Rahaf Alqunun"was terrified" as officials in Bangkok tried to get her onto a flight to KuwaitWomen have been allowed to enter sports stadiums, vote in local elections, and take a greater role in the workforce as Saudi Arabia tries to diversify its oil-dependent economy.Campaigners said the main sticking point was the guardianship policy.The sisters watched the news of Khashoggi's death unfold while in hiding in Hong Kong.
"I said to my sister, 'I'm glad we left. This is the country we left', there is no regret at all," said the older sister, who counts George Orwell's 1984 as one of her favourite books and likened its dystopian society to her homeland.The pair hatched their escape plan over several years, secretly hoarding about $US5,000 — partly by scrimping on items they were given money to buy — and had timed it to coincide with the younger sister's 18th birthday.
They said they had been wracked with uncertainty as a deadline for them to leave Chinese-ruled Hong Kong passed last month.The younger sister, who counts Radiohead and Queen among her favourite bands, said she hoped to inspire young people to stand against social injustice."Fight in your own way and you will find your own light.""There's a bright, beautiful future awaiting me," she said.
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