Saudi Arabia Making Progress on Gender Equality: Check Out 4 Instances

Saudi Arabia is a conservative Islamic country that used to have very strict rules for women. Women were required to wear long black robes called abayas that covered their whole bodies from head to toe whenever they went outside. However, in recent years, Saudi Arabia has been making changes to give more freedoms and rights to women. One major step forward happened in 2018 when the country took away its ban on women driving cars. Before 2018, women in Saudi Arabia were not allowed to drive at all.For the first time ever, Saudi women were allowed to get driver’s licenses and drive vehicles by themselves without a male relative in the car. This gave women more independence and ability to move around.

Another big event occurred in 2019 when Saudi Arabia hosted its first ever fashion show with female models. The show displayed swimsuit designs by a designer from Morocco. It was considered surprising since less than 10 years earlier, Saudi laws required women to be completely covered up in public.  

Changes Led by Crown Prince

These reforms aimed at increasing women’s rights have been led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He became next in line to the throne in 2017 and launched a program called Vision 2030 to modernize Saudi society and its economy.

As part of Vision 2030, the Crown Prince has made a series of big social changes. He reduced the powers of the kingdom’s religious police who used to strictly enforce conservative Islamic traditions. Movie theaters have reopened after being banned for over 35 years. The kingdom has even allowed music concerts where men and women can attend together.

Saudi Arabia Embraces Social Change Through Fashion

Saudi Arabia took a bold step towards social progress by hosting its first-ever fashion show with swimsuit models. This event marked a significant shift from the country’s strict dress code that required women to wear full-body abaya robes less than a decade ago. The show, held at the Red Sea Resort, was part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform program. The models wore colorful one-piece suits, showcasing exposed shoulders and midriffs. This event symbolizes the Crown Prince’s efforts to modernize Saudi Arabia by introducing cinemas, music festivals, and curbing the powers of the religious police. Through fashion, the kingdom aims to present a more open and progressive image to the world.

Saudi Women Still Face Restrictions

While these are positive developments, Saudi women still face many challenges and legal restrictions. They need permission from a male guardian to get married, leave prison, or get certain types of medical care.

Saudi Arabia Leading UN Women’s Rights Group  

In a controversial move in 2023, Saudi Arabia was chosen to lead the United Nation’s Commission on the Status of Women for one year. This UN body is supposed to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment globally.

Human rights groups strongly criticized the decision. But Saudi officials state the Kingdom is committed to advancing women’s rights within the context of its Islamic culture and traditions. Keep an eye out for more updates.