Dubai – Masaader News
Hundreds of Saudi women reportedly crossed into Bahrain on Monday unaccompanied as landmark reforms lifting restrictions on travelling without men’s permission came into effect. The number of women who crossed the entry points of the Eastern Province alone has exceeded 1,000 within a few hours, according to Saudi Gazette.
Royal decrees issued in the beginning of this month ended the need for women to obtain permission of male guardians to travel or obtain passports. The new amendments in the Travel Documents Regulation, which were approved by the Council of Ministers recently, allow a woman to apply for and obtain a passport without requiring the approval of her male guardian. The amendments included granting the same rights to males and females above 21 years of age, and travel permit for custody of minors.
The new historic move is part of expanded social reforms initiated by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, and that also granted women the right to drive last year, as well as study at university, undergo surgery or get a job without male consent.
Many Saudi women took to social media to praise the new liberalization. “The women’s age begins,” one wrote on Twitter. Another expressed her gratitude to the Crown Prince, posting: “Thank you, MBS.”