On Sunday, women across Saudi Arabia were allowed to drive for the first time.
It was a monumental shift, and just one of many in the last 18 months. The country has lifted a decades-long ban on cinemas, began building a multi-billion dollar entertainment city 2.5 times the size of Disney World, and is considering developing its own hyper-loop system.
Many of the changes have been pushed by Mohammed bin Salman who, since his promotion to crown prince in June 2017, has taken drastic steps to reform and modernize Saudi Arabia in an effort to shift the country's economy away from oil and prepare the country for the future.
Many of these changes have benefitted Saudi women and, despite how small some may seem, are proving crucial in their march towards equality.
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| Women are taking to the streets after Saudi Arabia lifted its longstanding ban on women driving. |
Women have been campaigning for driving rights for years, and were finally given the ability to get behind the wheel this week. Many women have spent months preparing for the ban's lifting by taking driving courses specifically designed for women.
Previously, Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world where a woman could go to jail for driving. While many have applauded the shift, several of the activists involved in the Right to Drive campaign were suddenly arrested and held without charge this month, with many remaining in custody.
The royal decree made by King Salman in May 2017 allows women to access government and health services without requiring consent from their male guardians, who otherwise have the ultimate authority over what women in the country can do.
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| Women can now access basic rights, like education and healthcare, without permission from a male guardian. |
The King proposed easing the strict male guardianship laws within three months of his decree, but more general guardianship laws are still in place today — male approval is needed for women to apply for passport, get married, or even leave jail.
Women regularly face difficulty conducting transactions, like renting an apartment and filing legal claims, without a male relative's consent or presence.