Saudi Princess: Women will get more rights soon

Saudi is making changes to its guardianship system but no timeframe has been set as to when they will come in to place, Princess Reema Bint Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud told the Okaz newspaper.

The Undersecretary of the General Authority for Sports Planning and Development said: “Saudi women today do not need the permission of a man to work, drive or study.”

The Saudi prince pointed out that there are discussions among women in the corridors of the government and the Shura Council about the state system but they do not know a specific timeframe in which change will occur, stressing that this would happen in the near future.

Saudi Arabia among most dangerous countries for women despite drive for change

Princess Reema added that women have been given some of their rights, including the right to drive, while “the rest are coming”.

Saudi Arabia remains one of the most restrictive countries in the world. Women do not hold ministerial positions in the Kingdom, which also maintains a guardianship system where women must have a male relative’s consent before being allowed to travel, marry or even have surgery.

Women have long called for the abolition of the system which they say treats them as “second-class citizens”.