Saudi Arabia decrees sweeping changes to women's rights

Saudi women hail 'history in the making' after King Salman enacts laws for obtaining passports and expanding employment and family rights

Women in Saudi Arabia will now be able to travel without permission. Reuters

Women in Saudi Arabia will no longer need the permission of male guardians to travel or obtain a passport after decrees were signed by King Salman.

Cabinet decrees published by the official Saudi gazette on Friday stipulate the right of every Saudi citizen over the age of 21 to obtain a passport and limits the need for a guardian’s approval to minors only.

The former system required women to seek permission of their guardian – usually their father or husband, but sometimes a brother or son – to marry, apply for a passport and leave the country.

The amendments also grant women the right to register child birth, marriage or divorce, and to be issued official family documents and be eligible as a guardian to children who are minors.

Saudi Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, the kingdom's first woman ambassador to the United States, said she was elated by the new decree. AFP

Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, said she was “elated” by the moves from Riyadh.

“I am elated to confirm that KSA will be enacting amendments to its labour and civil laws that are designed to elevate the status of Saudi women within our society, including granting them the right to apply for passports and travel independently,” she said in a series of tweets.

“These developments have been a long time coming,” she added. “From the inclusion of women in the consultative council to issuing driving licenses to women, our leadership has proved its unequivocal commitment to gender equality.

"These new regulations are history in the making."

Dr Anwar Gargash, the UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, congratulated Saudi Arabia on its "confident steps towards development and modernisation".

Last year, the kingdom lifted the ban on driving for women, who also no longer need permission from a male guardian to study at university, undergo surgery or get a job.

The royal decrees issued on Friday also cover employment regulations, with the intention of expanding work opportunities for women, who represent a significant amount of unemployed Saudis.

About 20 per cent of Saudi female workforce were unemployed in 2018, according to the latest figures from the World Bank.

The documents say that all citizens in the country have the right to work without facing discrimination based on gender, disability or age.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has lifted restrictions, many of which apply solely to women, to transform the country's economy.

In 2016, he unveiled a plan to diversify the economy by 2030 and try to increase women's participation in the workforce to 30 per cent from 22 per cent.

In January the Ministry for Labour and Social Development issued a raft of directives regarding the working environment for women, including the demand that women are paid equally with men.

Ivanka Trump was among a number of women to hail the move on social media.

While Saudi chat show host Muna AbuSulayman said the changes had made 2019 "more historic".

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Saudi women trailblazers

Young Saudi ballet instructor, Rana, practices ballet during a training session at the Jeddah Ballet Academy. Rana is one of the very few Saudi ballet practitioners. EPA

Abrar Abu Abdullah, a Saudi female diver smiles as she wears Saudi national flag over her shoulders as she enters the sea to dive at Half Moon Beach open-water dive site in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Reuters

Eman Joharjy, a fashion designer in one of her own creations, cycles along Jeddah's Corniche. Reuters

Saudi students walk at a jobseekers exhibition in Riyadh. Reuters

Saudi job seekers talk to a company representative at Glowork Women's Career Fair in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters

Bothaina Al Yousef and Dana Al Qatari help their fellow diver Zynab Al Magaslah put on her diving equipment. Reuters

Bahraini and Saudi women celebrate the lifting of the driving ban on women in east Saudi Arabia. Reuters

Saudi women attend the opening of a cinema at Riyadh Park mall. Reuters

Majdooleen, who is among the first Saudi women allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, refuels her car. Reuters

Dalia Yashar, one of the first Saudi students who registered to become a commercial pilot, stands in front of the registration centre, CAE Oxford ATC in Dammam. Reuters