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In recent years, things have changed dramatically for women in Saudi Arabia when it comes to their rights and female empowerment.
The changes are part of many initiatives under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 scheme, an ambitious post-oil economic plan, which has a primary focus on the rights of women in the Kingdom.
Just three months after he took office in 2017, the Crown Prince revealed in a royal decree that women would be able to get driving licenses from June 2018 and he has done much more.
Then, in March 2018, the Ministry of Justice announced that divorced women in the country could instantly retain custody of their children.
According to their plans, women can now also attend sporting events in stadiums in three cities, Kingdom students can now carry their phones while on campus, and as of August 2019, women over 21 can now travel independently. .
In the last few months alone, there have been many notable moments and appointments in Saudi Arabia that have paved the way for women.
Here are seven historical moments that have occurred for women in the Kingdom recently.
A female member of the Saudi Royal Guard in the performance of her duties.
In June, Moaid Mahjoub, Director of Government Affairs, External Relations and Protocol at the Private Office of Princess Jawahar Al Saud, posted a photo on Twitter of a female member of the Saudi Royal Guard performing her duties.
Historic moment in the Saudi Royal Guard Regiment. Thanks to the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. #pif # g20saudiarabia #Saudi Arabia #riyadh #jeddah #Saudi
#The Royal Guard pic.twitter.com/2r665rbdXTMoaid Mahjoub (@moaidmahjoub) June 25, 2020
“Historic moment in the Saudi Royal Guard Regiment. Thanks to the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, ”Mahjoub captioned the photo.
It was announced in October last year that women could begin joining the military and ground forces in the Kingdom in a wide range of positions, including corporals and sergeants. This could occur in any of the armed forces in Saudi Arabia, including the Strategic Missile Forces, the Armed Forces Medical Services, the Saudi Arabian Navy and the Air Force.
New official appointment of Princess Reema
Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud was officially elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday.
It is a historic moment as she becomes the first Saudi ambassador to be appointed a member of the IOC.
Honored to be elected a member of #IOC. Thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and @Antomorph for your support. It has been an honor to serve my community through the universal language of sports. @iocmedia @saudiolympic pic.twitter.com/vLsNltgz0c
– Reema Bandar Al-Saud (@rbalsaud) July 17, 2020
Following her official appointment, the princess took to Twitter to share how “honored” she was to be elected to the committee.
“Thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal [President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee] for their support ”, he added. “It has been an honor to serve my community through the universal language of sports.”
A revolutionary court ruling
In a court ruling in the Kingdom in July, it was stated: “A rational adult woman living independently is not a crime.”
Prior to this ruling, the parents of a woman who disappeared or was living without the permission of her guardians could file a complaint with the police, according to Gulf News. It was known as the ‘absenteeism’ law.
However, the latest ruling that women can live independently could dramatically improve gender equality in Saudi Arabia was hailed as “historic” by lawyer Abdul Rahman Al Lahim.
“A landmark ruling was issued on Wednesday, stating that the independence of a healthy adult woman in a separate house is not a crime worthy of punishment,” the lawyer said on Twitter at the time. “I am very happy with this ruling that ends tragic stories for women.”
Saudi Arabia Names Its First Women Cultural Deputies
Last month, three women cultural deputies were appointed, which is a first for the country.
The appointment was made by the Kingdom’s Minister of Education, Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh, who determined the new positions for the three Saudi women, all of whom were educators, according to the nation’s state news agency.
#The Minister of Education Issues decisions assigning various cultural attachés in the Gulf, Arab countries and friendly countries, including three women; They are occupying this position for the first time, to empower Saudi women to serve their country and its leadership. Https://t.co/CoFDoNU8HJ pic.twitter.com/scGn1VQSGZ
– Ministry of Education – University (@mohe_sa) August 2, 2020
Fahda bint Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh has been appointed Cultural Attaché in Ireland; Dr Amal bint Jameel Fatani has been appointed Cultural Attaché in the UK; and Dr. Yusra bint Hussain Al-Jazairi has been appointed interim cultural attaché in Morocco.
Appointed general secretary of the Tabuk regional council
Last month, Dr. Khulood Mohammed al-Khamis was appointed General Secretary of the Tabuk Regional Council, making her the first woman to hold this position in the entire Kingdom.
Having worked as an associate professor in the science department at Tabuk University, Dr. al-Khamis knows the area well.
To solidify her new role, the new secretary general met with the governor of the Tabuk region, Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, on Monday after her new appointment was announced.
The Governor expressed his confidence that Dr. Al-Khamis will be the first woman to hold that position.
“His Highness congratulated Dr. Khulood al-Khamis for this confidence as the first woman to hold the position of Secretary General of the regional council at the Kingdom level, wishing her continued success in her new job,” said a statement about the meeting of couple that was obtained by him Saudi Press Agency.
Ten women in high positions in two holy mosques
In mid-August, the General Presidency for Saudi Arabian Affairs appointed 10 women to high-level positions in the Two Holy Mosques.
According to a statement issued to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the latest appointments are “empowering women to assume leadership positions is an important issue that will be reflected in development and the economy.”
The statement also added that the new appointments are intended to “support the creative process and achieve the principles of quality and the highest standards of excellence to achieve the generous aspirations of wise leadership.”
First general director appointed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
At the end of August, another landmark appointment was held with the announcement by the Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry that Ahlam Bint Abdulrahman Yanksar would take over as director general of the ministry’s cultural affairs department. This makes her the first female figure to hold such an important position in the Kingdom, according to Gulf News.
Having earned a master’s degree in international business administration from the University of London, Ahlam has had a successful career working as both the undersecretary for political and economic affairs at the Ministry. He has also worked at the Saudi Arabian embassy in London, where he studied, in the economic and cultural section.
It is clear that things are changing rapidly for women in the Kingdom, which is very exciting to watch.
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Featured Image: Getty
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