Saudi Arabian women have urged the government to abandon its guardianship law that gives men sweeping powers over female relatives, after it took the historic step of dropping a ban on women drivers.
Under the “mahram” system, women must seek permission from a male relative to perform basic tasks such as travelling or opening a bank account.
Until minor reforms were announced in May, male guardians even had to approve women’s requests to visit the doctor.
Saudi Arabia was the last country to ban women from driving until King Salman ordered the government on Tuesday to issue women with licences. [The Times (£)] Read more
