Did any of those women ask to be required to dress in those HOT black airless bags in a desert climate? Why don't the men have to hide themselves away? It's like a mobile prison you take with you everywhere. Combine that with female genital mutilation (that's voluntary by the girl?), being shut away from most of life, not being allowed to go out unaccompanied by a male, threat of death from being accused of adultery, being required to marry one's rapist, etc. I'm quite sure it was the men who thought of all these oppressive things, not the women. If the women comply, it's either from threat of dire punishment or brainwashing from their family.
According to the article, Saudi women have developed a fashion sense and are not unhappy with their dress restrictions.