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Saudi Arabian women can now drive - here are the biggest changes they've seen in just over a year
Saudi Arabian women can now drive - here are the biggest changes they've seen in just over a year
Rosie Perper,Rosie PerperJun 27, 2018, 14:13 IST
Women take part in community-oriented events at Riyadh Park Mall in the Saudi capital, one of several events being held in the lead-up to the lifting of the ban on women driving on June 24. The events, held with the participation of government and civic organizations, span three days in Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah and Tabuk. Dubbed Tawakkali wa Intaliqi (Have Faith and Drive), the events aim to raise awareness of safe driving habits and how best to use the road safely, provide an introduction to traffic laws through participatory activities and competitions for women and children. Under the direct supervision of the General Department of Traffic, the events take place in separate zones for women and children.Center for International Communication, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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On Sunday, women across Saudi Arabia were allowed to drive for the first time.
Many of the changes have been pushed by Mohammed bin Salman who, since his promotion to crown prince in June 2017, has taken drastic steps to reform and modernize Saudi Arabia in an effort to shift the country's economy away from oil and prepare the country for the future.
Many of these changes have benefitted Saudi women and, despite how small some may seem, are proving crucial in their march towards equality.
Women are taking to the streets after Saudi Arabia lifted its longstanding ban on women driving.
Women have been campaigning for driving rights for years, and were finally given the ability to get behind the wheel this week. Many women have spent months preparing for the ban's lifting by taking driving courses specifically designed for women.
Previously, Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world where a woman could go to jail for driving.
While many have applauded the shift, several of the activists involved in the Right to Drive campaign were suddenly arrested and held without charge this month, with many remaining in custody.
Women can now access basic rights, like education and healthcare, without permission from a male guardian.
The royal decree made by King Salman in May 2017 allows women to access government and health services without requiring consent from their male guardians, who otherwise have the ultimate authority over what women in the country can do.
The King proposed easing the strict male guardianship laws within three months of his decree, but more general guardianship laws are still in place today — male approval is needed for women to apply for passport, get married, or even leave jail.
Women regularly face difficulty conducting transactions, like renting an apartment and filing legal claims, without a male relative’s consent or presence.
They can also open their own businesses without a guardian's permission.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Commerce and Investment said in February 2018 that women would be able to "start their own business freely," and no longer faced more obstacles than men in becoming entrepreneurs.
Dima Al-Shareef, a Saudi law consultant, told Arab News that the country was "witnessing a new era in the empowerment of Saudi women, in the commercial sphere in particular."
Stadiums recently began letting women watch sports live.
King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah made history when allowed women to sit in the stands to view a national soccer game in January 2018.
Despite gaining entry, women were segregated from men and had to use special entrances designated for women and families.
The Saudi government announced in October last year that it would be opening up stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam for women and families. The government added that plans to open up more women-friendly facilities at stadiums around the country would be ready within the year.
Sarah Al-Suhaimi became the first woman to chair Saudi Arabia’s stock exchange.
Al-Suhaimi was appointed head of the Middle East's largest stock exchange in February 2017.
She graduated with honors from King Saud University, and later went to Harvard Business School. Al-Suhaimi is also the CEO and a Board Director of the investment arm of Saudi Arabia's first bank.
Currently, Saudi Arabia enforces strict labor codes that prevent women from working in certain professions, such as optometry, and strict religious observance prohibits women and men from mixing sometimes even at work.
Another challenge is getting to work. Without the ability to drive, many women have to rely on male guardians for transport, though investments have been poured into improving public transportation and ride-sharing apps for women.
And another woman, Tamadur bint Youssef al-Ramah, was the first to be appointed deputy labor minister.
Al-Ramah position was announced in March in conjunction with a major military and political reshuffle, which was seen as a way to "pump young blood" into the government, a Saudi analyst said on TV.
Saudi Arabia joined the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, which promotes gender equality and female empowerment.
Saudi Arabia was voted in for a four-year term in April 2017, outraging many who viewed the appointment as "absurd," given Saudi Arabia's vast gender inequality.
Still, the United Nations defended its decision.
"Saudi Arabia’s interest in occupying one of the Commission’s seats allocated to the Asia-Pacific region is an indication that the country wants to play an active role in the work of this important body," it said.
Women can now jog and do physical exercise in the streets.
Saudi Arabia introduced physical education for girls and began granting licenses for women's gyms, allowing women to exercise publicly.
Over 1,500 women participated in the first all-women run that was organized shortly before International Women's Day.
Women were previously banned from running in the country's official marathons, but Saudi officials have said women will be allowed to compete in the 2019 Riyadh international marathon.
Saudi Arabia's military opened applications to women for the first time in March 2018. But the criteria for applicants was and included specific height, weight, and education requirements.
Notably, women still needed to ask their male guardians for permission to apply and needed to reside with their guardian in the same province as the future job's location.
And divorced women can retain custody of their children.
In March, mothers in Saudi Arabia were granted the right to retain custody of their children after divorcing, without going through legal proceedings.
Previously, Saudi courts required women to petition for custody, in a battle which often spanned years.
In many other Middle East countries the father is considered a child's natural guardian, and gains full custody at a certain age.
Women still need male permission for most major activities, like travel, getting married or divorced, and filing a police report.
The country still enforces a modest dress code. Most women wear a long cloak known as an "abaya" and many shops don't even allow women to try on clothing at malls.
Men and women and men are still prohibited from mixing in public, with beaches, stadiums, public transport and pools segregated by gender.
But a Saudi government program to improve citizen's quality of life, put forward in May, called for "intermingling of both genders to enhance social cohesion."
Lina Abirafeh, the director at the Institute for Women's Studies in the Arab World, told Business Insider that changes this year have been impactful, but the country still needs to do more.
"There is a need to progress gradually but also to be clear that the goal is full equality — without exceptions," Abirafeh said.
