International
Jubilation in Saudi as govt lifts travel restrictions on women
There were jubilant scenes in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Thursday, after the government lifted a long-standing travel restriction which requires women traveling abroad to have male guardianship.
Reports say social media erupted with excitement over the landmark reform which now ends a restriction that drew international censure and prompted extreme attempts to flee the kingdom.
The new decree was confirmed on social media by Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Saudi Arabia’s first female ambassador to the United States.
READ ALSO: US slaps sanctions on Iranian foreign minister for carrying out leader’s agenda
She wrote; “These new regulations are history in the making. They call for the equal engagement of women and men in our society,” she said. “These developments have been a long time coming.”
According to pro-government Okaz newspaper and other local media citing senior authorities, the regulation effectively allows women over the age of 21 to obtain passports and leave the country without their guardian’s permission.
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