Ivanka Trump’s critics have been heaping a lot of negative comments upon Donald Trump’s daughter and senior political adviser in connection with her latest trip to Dubai. She has been criticized for wearing a hijab, for her “corporate trip,” and for keeping mum about the unfair treatment of women in Saudi Arabia.
Ivanka Trump was the keynote speaker during the 2020 Global Women’s Forum held in Dubai. But while President Donald Trump’s senior adviser has lauded America’s allies Saudi Arabia and the UAE for the progress in advancing women’s rights in their countries, critics were quick to point out that she “remained silent over the plight of a number of female activists jailed and allegedly tortured for their opposition to the Gulf monarchies,” the Middle East Monitor reported.
“We know that when women are free to succeed, families thrive, communities flourish and nations are stronger,” Ivanka Trump said during her keynote address at the Global Women’s Forum. She also commended the countries for “removing barriers to women joining the workforce and developing a national strategy that recognizes that women are central to sustainable growth.”
But the publication was not impressed with her message. It accused Ivanka Trump of turning a blind eye over the “plight of a number of women activists rotting in prison.”
Under the de facto rule of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, there are 145 alleged violations against women by the Saudi Arabian government. One such victim of abuse is Loujain Al-Hathloul who was reportedly electrocuted, sexually harassed, received threats of rape and death from a government official.
Al-Hathloul was reportedly offered freedom as long as she makes a video statement denying the abuse she received from Saudi officials. However, she rejected the proposal.
Earlier, Ivanka Trump also received criticism and was even accused of her “fake support” for Muslim women. “When you travel the world promoting gender equality–but you and the other chicks cover your head and remove your shoes– while the men… well…,” a Twitter user commented.
“I’m very disappointed that she wore the hijab,” a netizen wrote on Twitter. “She should’ve taken it off inside the mosque and waved it on a stick. I know that Ivanka does a lot for women empowerment, but it was a major mistake for her to wear the hijab, even if she only wore it inside a mosque.”