This paper examines Rania Al-Baz’s memoir, Disfigured: A Saudi Woman’s Story of Triumph Over Violence (2007). Al-Baz, a pioneering Saudi television journalist, recounts her life before and after a brutal attack by her husband that left her physically disfigured. The analysis explores how the memoir transcends a simple narrative of victimhood. Al-Baz’s unflinching portrayal of domestic violence is considered a cornerstone in the Saudi feminist movement, serving as a powerful testament to the courage and perseverance of women fighting for their rights. The memoir highlights Al-Baz’s resilience in navigating the Saudi medical system, the challenges of public scrutiny, and the social stigma surrounding domestic violence. The paper argues that that writing and publishing Disfigured functions as a form of activism, raising awareness about domestic abuse within a conservative social context. While not identifying as a feminist herself, Rania Al-Baz’s story has become a rallying point for the Saudi feminist movement. Al-Baz spoke out on behalf of abused women and represented the plight of these women exposing the harsh realities faced by women in Saudi society. This, in turn, empowered Saudi feminists to push for legal reforms and a more responsive judiciary. By examining Al-Baz’s personal story, the paper sheds light on the complex realities of domestic violence and women’s empowerment in contemporary Saudi Arabia.

Authors:
Rasha Osman Abdel Haliem, The Higher Technological Institute & AMIDEAST, Egypt

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Rasha Osman Abdel Haliem is a University Postdoctoral Fellow or Instructor at The Higher Technological Institute & AMIDEAST in Egypt

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