In a move hailed as a step towards ending the controversial male guardianship system in Saudi Arabia, Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz issued a Royal Decree on Thursday, May 4th 2017 stating that women would no longer be required to gain the consent of guardians in order to receive public services, “unless there is a legal basis for this request in accordance with the provisions of Islamic law.” Government agencies have been advised to provide a comprehensive list of procedures that require the consent of a male guardian which includes the legislation that supports such a requirement within three months.
The announcement has been met with a support from both women and men in the Kingdom who see it as move in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and with its April 19th appointment to serve on the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
There have been several recent changes within the Kingdom that have had a positive effect on the rights of women. Women have gained the right to vote and run in municipal elections and to be appointed to seats on the Shoura Council. While the exact public services that will be affected by the decree have yet to be clarified, this is definitely another step in the right direction.
