Good news, Saudi women can now have access to government services without guardians

King Salman Al-Saud

Saudi King Salman Al-Saud has ordered concerned government authorities to allow women to apply for services without the approval of their guardians.
In Saudi Arabia, a woman’s life was earlier controlled by a man from birth until death. Every Saudi woman must have a male guardian, normally a father or husband, but in some cases a brother or even a son, who has the power to make a range of critical decisions on her behalf.

Public organisations were requested to list services that women could apply, to enable government evaluate if such services could be included in the order in accordance with Islamic regulations within the next three months.

The move could save women troubles, especially those without guardians.

The order also demanded organisations to provide appropriate transportation services for their female employees, which could reduce the cases of traffic accidents that caused the death of women employees, mainly teachers, after they hired reckless drivers to transport them to their workplaces.

Saudi Arabia does not allow women to drive and this has been a hindrance for many of them to get jobs or lead independent lifestyles.