Very soon, Saudi women will not need a male spouse or guardian to consent before obtaining passports.
The kingdom's Shura Council's Committee of Security Affairs has supported amendments to laws regarding travel documents, according to Arabian Business . These changes will essentially override social and cultural traditions within Saudi Arabia that have required women to receive permission from a male guardian prior to obtaining a passport.
Currently, all Saudi women, regardless of age or any other status, require the permission of a male spouse, parent, family member or guardian to travel outside the kingdom.
Women must also be accompanied by a male family member or their husband whenever they travel.
The proposed changes would allow any woman that is at least 18 to apply for a passport, without anyone standing in her way.
However, it remains unclear whether Saudi women will still need a chaperone when they actually decide to travel.
The proposal aims to align the passport regulations with global standards.
According to reports, the changes will greatly empower women in the kingdom and remove the challenges caused by the current guardianship system.