mo4ch:>Saudi Arabian women can now hold passports and travel alone | Mo4ch News

Saudi Arabia has announced a new landmark reform which significantly weakens the so-called ‘male guardianship’ rules governing Saudi women’s autonomy and mobility. Women over 21 can now hold their own passports and travel freely.At present, adult Saudi women are essentially considered legal minors who are subject to the arbitrary authority of their male relatives such as their husband, father or siblings. Friday’s decree affords women greater freedom of movement and also grants women the right to officially register childbirth, marriage or divorce, though it is unclear when the new order will take effect. “A passport will be granted to any Saudi national who submits an application,” read a government ruling published in the official paper Umm Al-Qura. Also on rt.comExodus brewing: Saudi teen granted asylum in Canada calls on others to follow her example and fleeTo be clear, the latest reform weakens but does not entirely dismantle male guardianship, which has led to several high-profi…