Saudi women can now join army

Riyadh: Embarking on a broad programme of economic and social reforms, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday announced that it would allow women in the kingdom to serve in the armed forces. It must be noted that last year, Saudi Arabia authorised women to join its security forces.

The move is seen as part of a series of measures aimed at increasing the rights of women in the kingdom by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman popularly known as MBS.

The foreign ministry wrote on Twitter: Another step to empowerment, #Saudi women to join the army for the first time

Aiming at widening women’s rights, MBS has approved a handful of reforms aimed including allowing them to drive and to travel abroad without consent from a male “guardian”.