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Advancing women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals

Advancing women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals

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Saudi women will now be able to apply for passports. Those over 21 will be allowed to travel independently, without permission from their so-called guardians.

Other steps taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the past few years in advancing women’s rights include giving women the freedom to continue their education, and to seek employment without having to guarantee permission from a male relative.

These positive changes show the Kingdom’s progress towards women’s full and equal participation in all parts of society, and are in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, but more action is needed to fully dismantle other restrictions.

UN News’s May Yaacoub spoke to UN Women’s Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi and started by asking her what those steps represent for the region.

Audio Credit
May Yaacoub, UN News - Arabic
Audio
6'21"
Photo Credit
© FAO/Alessandra Benedetti