Saudi Arabia to Allow Women to Work, Study, Drive
Posted: Mon May 08, 2017 6:41 pm
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/S ... -0003.html
Women's rights advocate and a director at the Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Maha Akeel, welcomed the new changes that would enable women to study, access health care, work in public and private sector and represent themselves in court – without consent. "Now at least it opens the door for discussion on the guardian system," Akeel told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Women are independent and can take care of themselves."
Saudi Arabia had previously made moves to include women in the workforce, in a bid to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil. These changes were enacted in 2011, when the late King Abdullah allowed women onto the government advisory Shura Council. As a result, women can now vote in municipal elections, work in some retail and hospitality jobs as well as compete in the Olympics.