In a historic move, Saudi Arabia will allow women to enter into three sports stadiums from next year.In Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to watch games in the stadium. The new move will grant permission to families to watch games of three stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah and Damman. The preparations to accompany families will get ready in 2018.
The kingdom, which has some of the world’s tightest restrictions on women, has long barred women from sports arenas by strict rules on segregation of the sexes in public. The announcement is in line with powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious reform drive shaking up the ultra-conservative kingdom, including the decision to allow women to drive from next June.
Last month authorities allowed hundreds of women to throng a sports stadium in Riyadh, used mostly for football matches, for the first time to mark Saudi Arabia’s national day. Under the country’s guardianship system, a male family member either father, husband or brother must grant permission for a woman’s study, travel and other activities. But the kingdom appears to be relaxing some norms as part of its “Vision 2030” plan for economic and social reforms, which also aims to boost female employment.
Post Your Comments