A batch of Saudi female conscripts recently attended a training course on combat of drugs and handling of weapons amid a robust empowerment of women in the kingdom. Watch in for more details!

Saudi Arabia: Women in uniform attend training for weapons handling, anti-drug stints

Reports claim a job advert by Spanish railway operator Renfe to recruit 30 female train drivers in Saudi Arabia has attracted 28,000 applicants.

Renfe said it had culled the list through online assessment of academic background and English language skills as it seeks to recruit new operators for its service.

Women in Saudi Arabia were not allowed to drive cars until 2018.

The country has made efforts to open up its economy for women who have increasingly begun joining the workforce although the proportion of women working in the country is currently half of that of men with authorities keen to address gender issues.

Watch:&nbsp;For the first time, Saudi women stand guard in Mecca during haj

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The Spanish train operator informed that women operators would be selected to drive bullet trains between Mecca and Medina after receiving training for over a year.

Reports claim there has been a significant rise in participation of women in Saudi Arabia's workforce rising from 17 per cent in 2016 to over 33 per cent in 2020 with unemployment levels among women declining 24 per cent in 2020.

According to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 report, the kingdom is keen to&nbsp;provide&nbsp;opportunities to everyone - both men and women. The report said over 50&nbsp;per cent of university graduates are women. The Saudi government is seeking to boost women’s participation in the workforce by 2030.

Recently Saudi human resource minister&nbsp;Ahmed Al-Rajhi&nbsp;pointed out that citizens entering the labour market for the first time in one year had reached 400,000 comprising of both men and women with the total reaching more than 1,900,000 as he emphasised women's participation was a major goal as laid down under Vision 2030.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

Reports claim a job advert by Spanish railway operator Renfe to recruit 30 female train drivers in Saudi Arabia has attracted 28,000 applicants. Renfe said it had culled the list through online assessment of academic background and English language skills as it seeks to recruit new operators for its service.

Reports claim a job advert by Spanish railway operator Renfe to recruit 30 female train drivers in Saudi Arabia has attracted 28,000 applicants. Renfe said it had culled the list through online assessment of academic background and English language skills as it seeks to recruit new operators for its service. Women in Saudi Arabia were not allowed to drive cars until 2018. The country has made efforts to open up its economy for women who have increasingly begun joining the workforce although the proportion of women working in the country is currently half of that of men with authorities keen to address gender issues. Watch: For the first time, Saudi women stand guard in Mecca during haj The Spanish train operator informed that women operators would be selected to drive bullet trains between Mecca and Medina after receiving training for over a year. Reports claim there has been a significant rise in participation of women in Saudi Arabia's workforce rising from 17 per cent in 2016 to over 33 per cent in 2020 with unemployment levels among women declining 24 per cent in 2020. According to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 report, the kingdom is keen to provide opportunities to everyone - both men and women. The report said over 50 per cent of university graduates are women. The Saudi government is seeking to boost women’s participation in the workforce by 2030. Recently Saudi human resource minister Ahmed Al-Rajhi pointed out that citizens entering the labour market for the first time in one year had reached 400,000 comprising of both men and women with the total reaching more than 1,900,000 as he emphasised women's participation was a major goal as laid down under Vision 2030. (With inputs from Agencies)

Saudi Arabia: Job ad for women train drivers attracts 28,000 applicants for 30 posts

The Saudi football federation on Saturday said it was launching the first edition of a women's league later this month. Women's sport was long frowned upon in conservative Saudi Arabia. But the November 22 launch is part of a program set up by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation in 2017 to support women's football

Saudi Arabia: Riyadh launches league to support women's football

Saudi Arabia -- in a very first -- has appointed as many as ten women in senior roles at Islam's two holiest sites.

The women were appointed in the two holy mosques in Mecca and Medina across various departments, including administrative and technical, according to statement released by the general presidency for the affairs of the two holy mosques.

The said recruitment drive is aimed at "empowering Saudi women with high qualifications and capabilities", the statement said.

The two holy mosques previously recruited 41 women in leadership positions in 2018, according to Saudi media.

The appointment of women in senior positions at religious institutions is rare in the Islamic kingdom, which is in the midst of a wide-ranging liberalisation drive spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Prince Mohammed has sought to boost employment for women as part of his "Vision 2030" plan, which is aimed at diversifying the kingdom's economy and ending its addiction to oil.

The number of working women in Saudi Arabia reached 1.03 million in the third quarter of 2019, 35 per cent of the total workforce, compared to 816,000 in 2015, according to official figures.

In other reforms, women in the kingdom are now allowed to drive cars, cinemas have reopened and genders are permitted to mix at events, including concerts, and in public places.

On the contrary, as reports suggest, Saudi Arabia has detained and put on trial a dozen women activists who long campaigned for the right to drive. Some of the activists allege they were tortured and sexually harassed by interrogators.

Saudi Arabia -- in a very first -- has appointed as many as ten women in senior roles at Islam's two holiest sites. The women were appointed in the two holy mosques in Mecca and Medina across various departments, including administrative and technical, according to statement released by the general presidency for the affairs of the two holy mosques.

Saudi Arabia -- in a very first -- has appointed as many as ten women in senior roles at Islam's two holiest sites. The women were appointed in the two holy mosques in Mecca and Medina across various departments, including administrative and technical, according to statement released by the general presidency for the affairs of the two holy mosques. The said recruitment drive is aimed at "empowering Saudi women with high qualifications and capabilities", the statement said. The two holy mosques previously recruited 41 women in leadership positions in 2018, according to Saudi media. The appointment of women in senior positions at religious institutions is rare in the Islamic kingdom, which is in the midst of a wide-ranging liberalisation drive spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Prince Mohammed has sought to boost employment for women as part of his "Vision 2030" plan, which is aimed at diversifying the kingdom's economy and ending its addiction to oil. The number of working women in Saudi Arabia reached 1.03 million in the third quarter of 2019, 35 per cent of the total workforce, compared to 816,000 in 2015, according to official figures. In other reforms, women in the kingdom are now allowed to drive cars, cinemas have reopened and genders are permitted to mix at events, including concerts, and in public places. On the contrary, as reports suggest, Saudi Arabia has detained and put on trial a dozen women activists who long campaigned for the right to drive. Some of the activists allege they were tortured and sexually harassed by interrogators.

Saudi Arabia appoints ten women in senior roles in holy mosques

Female athletes in Iran are determined to carry on training and keeping fit despite the restrictions imposed by anti-coronavirus measures. Life for female athletes in the strict Muslim nation was already complicated by the regulations on clothing and the virus outbreak added to their problems.

Iran's sportswomen fight to keep fit despite coronavirus curbs

Jailed Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul has been nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize after being put forward by a group of Norwegian and Canadian politicians.

Jailed Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul has been nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize after being put forward by a group of Norwegian and Canadian politicians. Loujain was arrested during a crackdown on May 15, 2018, where she was protesting along with a dozen other women's rights activists. The women protesters had long campaigned for ending a ban on women driving cars. The case has drawn global criticism following last year’s murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents inside the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate. In an interview with WION, Walid al-Hathloul, brother of Loujain spoke on how he feels on hearing such news and also shared details of the complete crackdown. Having lost hope with the government's response and help on the matter, Walid hopes his sister is released soon. Here is the full excerpt of the conversation- WION- How do you feel after hearing that your sister has been nominated for Nobel Peace Prize? Can you let us know what's the latest in her case? WALID- There’s no news in Loujain’s case. MBS said in 60 minutes that he will personally investigate the torture but so far we haven’t heard any news about initiating an investigation on torture. As to the peace prize, I heard it from the news and I hope it’s real. Also, It’s hard to tell because they're unpredictable and not transparent at all. WION -Your sister has been put behind bars. Why? Can you describe how it all began and why it happened? WALID- At the beginning when she was arrested as part of the crackdown on May 15, 2018, we did not know why she was arrested. Local media immediately published that she was a traitor and was working with a foreign power. During her detention, they did not charge her with anything until the trial which started after ten months. After reading the charge sheet, we found out that most of the charges are related to her human rights activism. One of the charges that she is facing is applying for a job at the UN. So clearly there is no consistency between what they said at the beginning and for what they officially charged her. As to why she was arrested, it is difficult to know but I would say that there’s an abuse of power. WION- Who were the other activists involved? How many of them are still behind bars and what has been the development in their release so far? WALID- As there’s a lack of transparency in the legal system, it’s difficult to answer the question accurately but I would assume that there are four other women in jail, not including men. In the beginning, they started a trial but all of a sudden after the third session they stopped the whole trial and nobody knows why they did that. Also, nobody knows if they will resume the trial anytime in the future. WION-Loujain al-Hathloul has rejected a proposal to secure her release from prison in exchange for a video statement denying she was tortured in custody. Can you briefly describe your statement? WALID- I don’t have any position in that matter as each option has a consequence and it makes it hard to decide which option I should pick. But regardless of my position, it is Loujain who should decide what is best for her. I believe that they went too far by asking a video release to deny the torture. WION-You can appeal to any international body or anyone that you wish to. Did you try this before? WALID- I prefer not to answer this question. WION- What is your grievance with the government and Who do you wish to appeal to and why? WALID- We have been contacting the government since day one. We sent countless letters to the government but got no response. Unfortunately, we are now in a position where we have lost hope that the government would cooperate with us. WION- Have you ever tried reaching Donald Trump/ United States as it is Saudi's important ally as well. WALID- I prefer not to answer this question. WION- What do you want for your sister now? WALID- All I want is to see Loujain free.

I hope news is real: Brother of Saudi women's rights activist on her being contender for Nobel Peace Prize

By Alainna Liloia

Saudi women will soon be allowed to obtain passports and travel without the permission of a male relative.

This new regulation, announced by the government in early August, eases one of the most limiting aspects of the Gulf country’s “guardianship system,” which puts men in charge of their female relatives.

Saudi women will also be allowed to register marriages, divorces and births and to receive official family documents without their guardian’s approval, but they must still get permission from male chaperones to marry, leave prison and move out from a domestic abuse shelter.

Social pressure likely means some Saudi women still won’t travel without family permission. Though it became legal for women to drive in 2018, familial disapproval has kept many women off the roads.

Saudi Arabia enforces a strict interpretation of Islamic law that sees gender separation and male authority as vital to preserving a moral Islamic society. But women are much more than victims in this patriarchal regime.

As a researcher who studies women’s movements across the Middle East, I have learned that Saudi women – like any large population – are a diverse group with different opinions and experiences. They attend school, work as journalists and airline pilots, scuba dive, meet friends for coffee – and, increasingly, defy the law to expand women’s rights.

The fight for equality

Saudi women’s new freedoms are part of broader reform efforts led by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to modernize the conservative Muslim country of 33 million and to alleviate international human rights concerns.

But these legal advances have come coupled with the repression of the Saudi female activists who have pushed to reform the guardianship system. Women fought for decades for the right to drive cars, and before the ban was lifted last year several activists were arrested for very publicly getting behind the wheel. Many remain in prison.

Saudi women have also campaigned to abolish the guardianship system, circulating online petitions with the hashtag #IAmMyOwnGuardian and holding workshops to educate women on guardianship laws. A woman-created app called “Know Your Rights” gives women information on their legal rights.

Saudi women even make the most of laws forbidding gender mixing in public places, I’ve found.

In the private, women-only areas of malls, parks, restaurants, schools and coffee shops, women feel free to express their independence. They remove their abayas – the long black robes all Saudi women must wear – and talk openly, without male oversight.

Some women have even called for more gender-segregated places to give women more breathing room in this patriarchal society.

Women’s education 
 
Saudi women have been attending university since the 1970s, but their educational opportunities have grown markedly over the past 15 years.

A government-funded study abroad program launched in 2005 sends tens of thousands of young Saudi women to the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and many other countries each year.

Saudi Arabia’s first women’s college, the Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University, was founded in 2010. With room for about 60,000 undergraduate students – the world’s largest all-women’s campus – the school aims to give female students better access to male-dominated fields like medicine, computer science, management and pharmacology.

In 2015, Saudi women’s undergraduate enrollment rates actually surpassed those of men. Women comprise 52 per cent of all university students in the kingdom, according to the Saudi Ministry of Education.

Working women 
 
Employment rates have not followed these educational trends.

Only 22 per cent&nbsp;of Saudi women worked outside the home in 2016, compared to 78 per cent&nbsp;of the male population, according to the World Bank.

Still, women can – and do – work in nearly all of the same fields as men, with the exception of “dangerous” fields like construction or garbage collection. Since Islamic law permits women to own and manage their own property, ever more Saudi women see employment as the path to financial independence.

There are female Saudi journalists, like Weam Al Dakheel, who in 2016 became the first female TV presenter to host morning news in Saudi Arabia.

There are female Saudi lawyers, like Nasreen Alissa, one of only a few women to run a law firm in Saudi Arabia and the inventor of the “Know Your Rights” app.

And just over half of all teachers in Saudi Arabia are female, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Saudi women also make up almost half the kingdom’s retail workers.

The Saudi government has set a goal of a 30 per cent&nbsp;female labour participation rate by 2030. Though gender-mixing is often prohibited in the workplace, women are a key component of the kingdom’s ongoing “Saudisation” efforts to replace non-Saudi workers with a local workforce.

Political engagement 
 
Saudi Arabia began slowly expanding the rights of women after the Sept. 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks, part of a rebranding effort to counter negative views of the country as a breeding ground for terrorism and religious fundamentalism.

Women have made particular progress in politics in recent years. In a series of firsts, women were appointed as deputy education minister in 2009, advisers to the king in 2010 and ambassador to the United States in 2019.

In 2015, Saudi women were given the right to vote and to run in municipal elections. Nearly 1,000 women campaigned for seats on local councils, comprising 14% of the total candidate pool.

Saudi Arabia’s first crop of female candidates struggled to convince voters – just 9% of whom are women – to elect them. Today they hold just 20 of Saudi Arabia’s 2,000 local council seats.

Two prominent women’s rights activists, Loujain Hathloul and Nassima Al-Sadah, were disqualified from running in 2015 for unspecified reasons.

In patriarchal Saudi Arabia, the women elected face significant barriers to performing even the limited duties of their office, which include overseeing garbage collection and issuing building permits. Some must attend council meetings via video conference to avoid being in the same room as men.

These challenges have not stopped Saudi women from working – both within and outside of the political system – to change their country.

“I was never but a good citizen that loved her country, a loving daughter and a hardworking student and a devoted worker,” wrote the Saudi activist Nouf Abdulaziz in a letter posted online after her arrest in June 2018.

Even facing jail, she “wished the best for” Saudi Arabia. 
&nbsp;

(Alainna Liloia is Graduate Associate, PhD Student, University of Arizona)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/saudi-women-are-fighting-for-their-freedom-and-their-hard-won-victories-are-growing-121610">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

By Alainna Liloia Saudi women will soon be allowed to obtain passports and travel without the permission of a male relative. This new regulation, announced by the government in early August, eases one of the most limiting aspects of the Gulf country’s “guardianship system,” which puts men in charge of their female relatives.

By Alainna Liloia Saudi women will soon be allowed to obtain passports and travel without the permission of a male relative. This new regulation, announced by the government in early August, eases one of the most limiting aspects of the Gulf country’s “guardianship system,” which puts men in charge of their female relatives. Saudi women will also be allowed to register marriages, divorces and births and to receive official family documents without their guardian’s approval, but they must still get permission from male chaperones to marry, leave prison and move out from a domestic abuse shelter. Social pressure likely means some Saudi women still won’t travel without family permission. Though it became legal for women to drive in 2018, familial disapproval has kept many women off the roads. Saudi Arabia enforces a strict interpretation of Islamic law that sees gender separation and male authority as vital to preserving a moral Islamic society. But women are much more than victims in this patriarchal regime. As a researcher who studies women’s movements across the Middle East, I have learned that Saudi women – like any large population – are a diverse group with different opinions and experiences. They attend school, work as journalists and airline pilots, scuba dive, meet friends for coffee – and, increasingly, defy the law to expand women’s rights. The fight for equality Saudi women’s new freedoms are part of broader reform efforts led by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to modernize the conservative Muslim country of 33 million and to alleviate international human rights concerns. But these legal advances have come coupled with the repression of the Saudi female activists who have pushed to reform the guardianship system. Women fought for decades for the right to drive cars, and before the ban was lifted last year several activists were arrested for very publicly getting behind the wheel. Many remain in prison. Saudi women have also campaigned to abolish the guardianship system, circulating online petitions with the hashtag #IAmMyOwnGuardian and holding workshops to educate women on guardianship laws. A woman-created app called “Know Your Rights” gives women information on their legal rights. Saudi women even make the most of laws forbidding gender mixing in public places, I’ve found. In the private, women-only areas of malls, parks, restaurants, schools and coffee shops, women feel free to express their independence. They remove their abayas – the long black robes all Saudi women must wear – and talk openly, without male oversight. Some women have even called for more gender-segregated places to give women more breathing room in this patriarchal society. Women’s education Saudi women have been attending university since the 1970s, but their educational opportunities have grown markedly over the past 15 years. A government-funded study abroad program launched in 2005 sends tens of thousands of young Saudi women to the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and many other countries each year. Saudi Arabia’s first women’s college, the Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University, was founded in 2010. With room for about 60,000 undergraduate students – the world’s largest all-women’s campus – the school aims to give female students better access to male-dominated fields like medicine, computer science, management and pharmacology. In 2015, Saudi women’s undergraduate enrollment rates actually surpassed those of men. Women comprise 52 per cent of all university students in the kingdom, according to the Saudi Ministry of Education. Working women Employment rates have not followed these educational trends. Only 22 per cent of Saudi women worked outside the home in 2016, compared to 78 per cent of the male population, according to the World Bank. Still, women can – and do – work in nearly all of the same fields as men, with the exception of “dangerous” fields like construction or garbage collection. Since Islamic law permits women to own and manage their own property, ever more Saudi women see employment as the path to financial independence. There are female Saudi journalists, like Weam Al Dakheel, who in 2016 became the first female TV presenter to host morning news in Saudi Arabia. There are female Saudi lawyers, like Nasreen Alissa, one of only a few women to run a law firm in Saudi Arabia and the inventor of the “Know Your Rights” app. And just over half of all teachers in Saudi Arabia are female, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Saudi women also make up almost half the kingdom’s retail workers. The Saudi government has set a goal of a 30 per cent female labour participation rate by 2030. Though gender-mixing is often prohibited in the workplace, women are a key component of the kingdom’s ongoing “Saudisation” efforts to replace non-Saudi workers with a local workforce. Political engagement Saudi Arabia began slowly expanding the rights of women after the Sept. 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks, part of a rebranding effort to counter negative views of the country as a breeding ground for terrorism and religious fundamentalism. Women have made particular progress in politics in recent years. In a series of firsts, women were appointed as deputy education minister in 2009, advisers to the king in 2010 and ambassador to the United States in 2019. In 2015, Saudi women were given the right to vote and to run in municipal elections. Nearly 1,000 women campaigned for seats on local councils, comprising 14% of the total candidate pool. Saudi Arabia’s first crop of female candidates struggled to convince voters – just 9% of whom are women – to elect them. Today they hold just 20 of Saudi Arabia’s 2,000 local council seats. Two prominent women’s rights activists, Loujain Hathloul and Nassima Al-Sadah, were disqualified from running in 2015 for unspecified reasons. In patriarchal Saudi Arabia, the women elected face significant barriers to performing even the limited duties of their office, which include overseeing garbage collection and issuing building permits. Some must attend council meetings via video conference to avoid being in the same room as men. These challenges have not stopped Saudi women from working – both within and outside of the political system – to change their country. “I was never but a good citizen that loved her country, a loving daughter and a hardworking student and a devoted worker,” wrote the Saudi activist Nouf Abdulaziz in a letter posted online after her arrest in June 2018. Even facing jail, she “wished the best for” Saudi Arabia. (Alainna Liloia is Graduate Associate, PhD Student, University of Arizona) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Saudi women are fighting for their freedom and their hard-won victories are growing

Saudi Arabia announces new reforms in its governance. As last year Saudi women got allowed to travel, now they got to travel without the consent of any male.

Saudi women free to drive, now free to travel without male consent

Saudi women now free to drive and travel, along with driving rights, they also get equal travel rights.

WION Dispatch: Saudi Women get Equal Travel rights

After running a pilot program to understand the preference of women drivers in Saudi Arabia, Uber has officially introduced a feature to let the drivers decide the riders. Uber announced the introduction of its 'Passenger Preference' feature in Saudi Arabia for the female drivers.

Uber allows Saudi women drivers to choose female passengers

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-vote-against-all-alternative-brexit-options-206122">British MPs vote against all alternative Brexit options</a>

British MPs on Wednesday voted against eight alternative Brexit options aimed at overcoming the deadlock over Prime Minister Theresa May's unpopular European Union divorce deal.

The biggest vote against was against a second referendum.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sets-up-un-clash-with-china-over-bid-to-blacklist-jaish-e-mohammed-chief-masood-azhar-206142">Masood Azhar listing as global terrorist: </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sets-up-un-clash-with-china-over-bid-to-blacklist-jaish-e-mohammed-chief-masood-azhar-206142">US</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sets-up-un-clash-with-china-over-bid-to-blacklist-jaish-e-mohammed-chief-masood-azhar-206142"> circulates </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sets-up-un-clash-with-china-over-bid-to-blacklist-jaish-e-mohammed-chief-masood-azhar-206142">draft</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sets-up-un-clash-with-china-over-bid-to-blacklist-jaish-e-mohammed-chief-masood-azhar-206142"> resolution to United Nations Security Council</a>

The United States on Wednesday circulated a draft resolution to the UN Security Council that would blacklist the leader of a Pakistan-based Islamist group as a terrorist, setting up a potential clash with China over the move.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uss-pompeo-saddened-by-italy-joining-chinas-belt-and-road-project-206132">US's Pompeo 'saddened' by Italy joining China's Belt and Road project</a>

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced disappointment Wednesday after Italy joined China's "Silk Road" network of transport and trade links, saying it was not in the ally's long-term interest.

Rome's populist government signed a "non-binding" protocol with visiting President Xi Jinping on Saturday that made Italy the first nation in the Group of Seven major economies to become part of the signature Chinese project.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brunei-to-punish-gay-sex-and-adultery-with-death-by-stoning-206138">Brunei to punish gay sex and adultery with death by stoning</a>

Adultery and gay sex in Brunei will be subject to death by stoning from next week, authorities said, under a strict Sharia law that has been on hold for four years amid heavy criticism.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-saudi-trial-detained-women-speak-of-torture-abuse-206126">Saudi women activists say they were sexually abused, tortured while detained</a>

Saudi women activists detained for almost a year offered their defence at an emotionally charged hearing on Wednesday, alleging torture and sexual harassment during interrogation, courtroom sources said.

British MPs vote against all alternative Brexit options British MPs on Wednesday voted against eight alternative Brexit options aimed at overcoming the deadlock over Prime Minister Theresa May's unpopular European Union divorce deal.

British MPs vote against all alternative Brexit options British MPs on Wednesday voted against eight alternative Brexit options aimed at overcoming the deadlock over Prime Minister Theresa May's unpopular European Union divorce deal. The biggest vote against was against a second referendum. Masood Azhar listing as global terrorist: US circulates draft resolution to United Nations Security Council The United States on Wednesday circulated a draft resolution to the UN Security Council that would blacklist the leader of a Pakistan-based Islamist group as a terrorist, setting up a potential clash with China over the move. US's Pompeo 'saddened' by Italy joining China's Belt and Road project US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced disappointment Wednesday after Italy joined China's "Silk Road" network of transport and trade links, saying it was not in the ally's long-term interest. Rome's populist government signed a "non-binding" protocol with visiting President Xi Jinping on Saturday that made Italy the first nation in the Group of Seven major economies to become part of the signature Chinese project. Brunei to punish gay sex and adultery with death by stoning Adultery and gay sex in Brunei will be subject to death by stoning from next week, authorities said, under a strict Sharia law that has been on hold for four years amid heavy criticism. Saudi women activists say they were sexually abused, tortured while detained Saudi women activists detained for almost a year offered their defence at an emotionally charged hearing on Wednesday, alleging torture and sexual harassment during interrogation, courtroom sources said.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/saudi-arabia-continues-to-stifle-women-dissent-201335">Saudi women activists</a> detained for almost a year offered their defence at an emotionally charged hearing on Wednesday, alleging torture and sexual harassment during interrogation, courtroom sources said.

Eleven women responded to charges that rights groups say include contact with international media and human rights groups, in the second hearing of a high-profile trial that foreign reporters and diplomats are barred from attending.

Some of them wept and consoled each other and their family members gathered before a three-judge panel in Riyadh's criminal court as they accused interrogators of subjecting them to electric shocks and flogging and groping them in detention, two people with access to the trial told AFP.

At least one of the detained women tried to commit suicide following her mistreatment, a close relative said.

The government, facing intense international scrutiny of its human rights record, denies the women were tortured or harassed.

The women, including prominent activist Loujain al-Hathloul, blogger Eman al-Nafjan and university professor Hatoon al-Fassi, were detained last summer in a sweeping crackdown on campaigners just before the historic lifting of a decades-long ban on female motorists.

The women had long campaigned for the right to drive and to abolish the restrictive guardianship system that gives male relatives arbitrary authority over women.

Their trial has intensified criticism of the kingdom over human rights following global outrage over journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder by Saudi agents last October.

Loujain's brother and sister, based overseas, have alleged that Saud al-Qahtani, a top advisor to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who was fired over Khashoggi's killing, oversaw the torture.

"The top adviser of the prince was threatening to rape my sister, kill her, cut her body into pieces," Walid al-Hathloul, Loujain's brother, told CNN.

"He's the one who should be in court today, not my sister."

Qahtani has not appeared in public since his sacking was announced.

Crackdown on dissent&nbsp; 
Some of the detained women have appealed for bail, with the judges expected to make a decision on Thursday, family members told AFP.&nbsp;

The trial is set to resume on April 3, they added. There was no immediate comment from the criminal court.

At the time of their arrest, officials accused the women of links to foreign intelligence agencies, while state-backed media branded them traitors and "agents of embassies".

The charge sheets, however, make no mention of contact with foreign spies, campaigners who have reviewed the documents say.

Some of the charges against the women fell under a section of the kingdom's sweeping cyber crime law, which carries prison sentences of up to five years.

Loujain asked the court for one month to respond to the charges saying she was not given enough time to prepare, Walid said. He added that his family had been stopped from taking written legal documents inside her prison cell.

It was not clear how the court responded to the request. &nbsp;

The detained women were initially expected to appear in a court set up to handle terrorism-related cases.

But trial was shifted to the criminal court at the last minute, without any explanation, after months of Western criticism.

That has triggered speculation the trial could pave the way for the women's release after the crackdown sparked international criticism against Prince Mohammed, the kingdom's de facto ruler.

Some detainees, including Loujain, were recently made to sign letters in prison requesting a royal pardon from King Salman, family members told AFP.

Western nations, including the European Union, the United States and Britain, appear to have stepped up pressure on the kingdom to release the activists.

Saudi women activists detained for almost a year offered their defence at an emotionally charged hearing on Wednesday, alleging torture and sexual harassment during interrogation, courtroom sources said.

Saudi women activists detained for almost a year offered their defence at an emotionally charged hearing on Wednesday, alleging torture and sexual harassment during interrogation, courtroom sources said. Eleven women responded to charges that rights groups say include contact with international media and human rights groups, in the second hearing of a high-profile trial that foreign reporters and diplomats are barred from attending. Some of them wept and consoled each other and their family members gathered before a three-judge panel in Riyadh's criminal court as they accused interrogators of subjecting them to electric shocks and flogging and groping them in detention, two people with access to the trial told AFP. At least one of the detained women tried to commit suicide following her mistreatment, a close relative said. The government, facing intense international scrutiny of its human rights record, denies the women were tortured or harassed. The women, including prominent activist Loujain al-Hathloul, blogger Eman al-Nafjan and university professor Hatoon al-Fassi, were detained last summer in a sweeping crackdown on campaigners just before the historic lifting of a decades-long ban on female motorists. The women had long campaigned for the right to drive and to abolish the restrictive guardianship system that gives male relatives arbitrary authority over women. Their trial has intensified criticism of the kingdom over human rights following global outrage over journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder by Saudi agents last October. Loujain's brother and sister, based overseas, have alleged that Saud al-Qahtani, a top advisor to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who was fired over Khashoggi's killing, oversaw the torture. "The top adviser of the prince was threatening to rape my sister, kill her, cut her body into pieces," Walid al-Hathloul, Loujain's brother, told CNN. "He's the one who should be in court today, not my sister." Qahtani has not appeared in public since his sacking was announced. Crackdown on dissent Some of the detained women have appealed for bail, with the judges expected to make a decision on Thursday, family members told AFP. The trial is set to resume on April 3, they added. There was no immediate comment from the criminal court. At the time of their arrest, officials accused the women of links to foreign intelligence agencies, while state-backed media branded them traitors and "agents of embassies". The charge sheets, however, make no mention of contact with foreign spies, campaigners who have reviewed the documents say. Some of the charges against the women fell under a section of the kingdom's sweeping cyber crime law, which carries prison sentences of up to five years. Loujain asked the court for one month to respond to the charges saying she was not given enough time to prepare, Walid said. He added that his family had been stopped from taking written legal documents inside her prison cell. It was not clear how the court responded to the request. The detained women were initially expected to appear in a court set up to handle terrorism-related cases. But trial was shifted to the criminal court at the last minute, without any explanation, after months of Western criticism. That has triggered speculation the trial could pave the way for the women's release after the crackdown sparked international criticism against Prince Mohammed, the kingdom's de facto ruler. Some detainees, including Loujain, were recently made to sign letters in prison requesting a royal pardon from King Salman, family members told AFP. Western nations, including the European Union, the United States and Britain, appear to have stepped up pressure on the kingdom to release the activists.

Saudi women activists say they were sexually abused, tortured while detained

The asylum claim of a young Saudi woman who resisted deportation from Thailand in a gripping, live-tweeted ordeal will take "several days" to assess, the UN's refugee agency in Bangkok said Tuesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-woman-has-left-bangkok-airport-under-care-of-un-agency-thai-official-188859">Rahaf Mohammed al-</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-woman-has-left-bangkok-airport-under-care-of-un-agency-thai-official-188859">Qunun</a> arrived at Bangkok's main airport over the weekend on a flight from Kuwait after running away from her family who she alleges subjected her to physical and psychological abuse.

The 18-year-old said she had planned to seek asylum in Australia, fearing she would be killed if sent back by Thai immigration officials who stopped her at the airport on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia's parlous rights record has been under heavy scrutiny since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year.

Initially, Thai authorities said Qunun would be sent back to Saudi Arabia.

But as her plight pinballed across social media — including tweets about how she had barricaded herself in a hotel room — they abruptly changed course and allowed her to leave the airport late Monday in UNHCR's care.

The agency said it was "very grateful" that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-teen-barricades-herself-in-thai-hotel-to-stop-being-returned-to-family-188799">officials did not send Qunun back against her will</a>.

"It could take several days to process the case and determine next steps," the UNHCR representative in Thailand, Giuseppe de Vicentiis, said in a statement.

Thailand is not a signatory to a UN convention on refugees, and asylum seekers are typically deported or wait years to be resettled in third countries.

The UNHCR insists anyone with an asylum claim should not be sent back to the country they fled under the principle of non-refoulement.

Saudi Arabia's embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

But in an extensive explanation released on Twitter, the embassy denied sending officials to Suvarnabhumi airport to meet Qunun as she arrived from Kuwait, where her family lives.

It also said her passport had not been impounded as alleged while explaining it is in contact with her father, a senior regional government official in the kingdom, "to inform him on her situation".

Another official told a Saudi-owned TV channel that Qunun's father had contacted the mission for "help" in bringing her back.

Ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia has some of the world's toughest restrictions on women, including a guardianship system that allows male family members to make decisions on behalf of female relatives.

Qunun has said she believes she will be imprisoned or killed if sent back and that her family is so strict it once locked her in a room for six months for cutting her hair.

Under the hashtag #SaveRahaf, the young woman's desperate pleas became a social media sensation, where she was able to post live updates and videos from the Bangkok airport in both Arabic and English, racking up more than 80,000 followers.

Late Monday, her Twitter account said that her father had arrived in Bangkok. AFP was not able to independently verify the news.

Thailand is not a signatory to a UN convention on refugees, and asylum seekers are typically deported or wait years to be resettled in third countries.

The asylum claim of a young Saudi woman who resisted deportation from Thailand in a gripping, live-tweeted ordeal will take "several days" to assess, the UN's refugee agency in Bangkok said Tuesday. Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun arrived at Bangkok's main airport over the weekend on a flight from Kuwait after running away from her family who she alleges subjected her to physical and psychological abuse. The 18-year-old said she had planned to seek asylum in Australia, fearing she would be killed if sent back by Thai immigration officials who stopped her at the airport on Sunday. Saudi Arabia's parlous rights record has been under heavy scrutiny since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year. Initially, Thai authorities said Qunun would be sent back to Saudi Arabia. But as her plight pinballed across social media — including tweets about how she had barricaded herself in a hotel room — they abruptly changed course and allowed her to leave the airport late Monday in UNHCR's care. The agency said it was "very grateful" that officials did not send Qunun back against her will. "It could take several days to process the case and determine next steps," the UNHCR representative in Thailand, Giuseppe de Vicentiis, said in a statement. Thailand is not a signatory to a UN convention on refugees, and asylum seekers are typically deported or wait years to be resettled in third countries. The UNHCR insists anyone with an asylum claim should not be sent back to the country they fled under the principle of non-refoulement. Saudi Arabia's embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. But in an extensive explanation released on Twitter, the embassy denied sending officials to Suvarnabhumi airport to meet Qunun as she arrived from Kuwait, where her family lives. It also said her passport had not been impounded as alleged while explaining it is in contact with her father, a senior regional government official in the kingdom, "to inform him on her situation". Another official told a Saudi-owned TV channel that Qunun's father had contacted the mission for "help" in bringing her back. Ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia has some of the world's toughest restrictions on women, including a guardianship system that allows male family members to make decisions on behalf of female relatives. Qunun has said she believes she will be imprisoned or killed if sent back and that her family is so strict it once locked her in a room for six months for cutting her hair. Under the hashtag #SaveRahaf, the young woman's desperate pleas became a social media sensation, where she was able to post live updates and videos from the Bangkok airport in both Arabic and English, racking up more than 80,000 followers. Late Monday, her Twitter account said that her father had arrived in Bangkok. AFP was not able to independently verify the news.

Asylum assessment of Saudi woman in Thailand to take days: UNHCR

In pictures: Saudi Arabia's restrictions on and reforms for women

Saudi courts will notify women by text message when they get divorced, in a new regulation that took effect on Sunday, officials said.

The measure approved by the justice ministry appears aimed at curbing seemingly rampant cases of men secretly ending marriages without informing their wives.

“Women ... will be notified of any changes to their marital status via text message,” the justice ministry said in a statement carried by state-run Al-Ekhbariya news channel and other local media.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/are-saudi-arabia-and-crown-prince-becoming-a-liability-for-the-white-house-185302">Are Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince becoming a liability for the White House?</a>

“Women in the kingdom will be able to view documents related to the termination of their marriage contracts through the ministry’s website.”

The move comes as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mohammed-bin-salman-reformist-prince-who-has-shaken-saudi-arabia-184964">Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman</a>, the de facto ruler spearheads a liberalisation drive in the conservative kingdom, which has some of the world’s toughest restrictions on women.

In June last year, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-gears-up-to-end-women-driving-ban-146279">women celebrated taking the wheel for the first time</a> in decades as the kingdom overturned the world’s only ban on female motorists.

The kingdom has also allowed women to enter sports stadiums, previously a male-only arena, and is pushing for greater participation of women in the workforce as it seeks to diversify its oil-dependent economy. But in tandem with the reforms, the kingdom has seen a wave of arrests of women activists in recent months as it steps up a crackdown on dissent. 
&nbsp;

Saudi courts will notify women by text message when they get divorced, in a new regulation that took effect on Sunday, officials said. The measure approved by the justice ministry appears aimed at curbing seemingly rampant cases of men secretly ending marriages without informing their wives.

Saudi courts will notify women by text message when they get divorced, in a new regulation that took effect on Sunday, officials said. The measure approved by the justice ministry appears aimed at curbing seemingly rampant cases of men secretly ending marriages without informing their wives. “Women ... will be notified of any changes to their marital status via text message,” the justice ministry said in a statement carried by state-run Al-Ekhbariya news channel and other local media. Also read: Are Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince becoming a liability for the White House? “Women in the kingdom will be able to view documents related to the termination of their marriage contracts through the ministry’s website.” The move comes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler spearheads a liberalisation drive in the conservative kingdom, which has some of the world’s toughest restrictions on women. In June last year, women celebrated taking the wheel for the first time in decades as the kingdom overturned the world’s only ban on female motorists. The kingdom has also allowed women to enter sports stadiums, previously a male-only arena, and is pushing for greater participation of women in the workforce as it seeks to diversify its oil-dependent economy. But in tandem with the reforms, the kingdom has seen a wave of arrests of women activists in recent months as it steps up a crackdown on dissent.

Saudi Arabia to notify women about divorce via SMS

Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on women’s rights campaigners, just weeks before the much-hyped lifting of a ban on women driving, has revived doubts about its crown prince’s inscrutable and seemingly erratic approach to reforms in the kingdom.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has seized most levers of power since rising from relative obscurity, is trying to diversify the biggest Arab economy away from oil and open up the deeply conservative Muslim country by easing strict social rules and promoting entertainment.

He has won praise at home and abroad for his modernisation efforts, but he has also provoked unease with an anti-corruption purge last year, when scores of royals and top businessmen were detained at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh.

Most were freed after reaching settlements with the government in a secretive campaign that sent shockwaves through the business community.

The arrest this month of nearly a dozen prominent activists, mostly women who for years urged reforms that are now being implemented and trumpeted abroad, has further disconcerted Western allies. Diplomats were unnerved that state-backed media had labelled the activists as “agents of the embassies”.

“It’s tough because to date we’ve been encouraging of the Saudi reform agenda,” one diplomat said.

“The Saudi government seems to be sending a message to friendly governments not to engage with anyone at all on government-led social reform, even where the messages we are hearing are supportive of the government and echoing what the government’s own international PR campaigns are saying.”

The official reason for the arrests was suspicious contact with foreign entities and offering financial support to overseas enemies. No details were provided and security spokesmen have not responded to requests for comment.

Following the latest arrests, diplomats in Riyadh have begun questioning how serious the kingdom is about change. Activists say the move signals that political openness will not be allowed to follow social liberalisation.

“It sends a message domestically that don’t even think about opposing any government policy, but the message internationally is completely different,” said Kristian Coates Ulrichsen from Texas-based Rice University’s Baker Institute.

He said it was difficult to assess the “opaque” decision-making process behind the crackdown.

“We just have no idea. It reinforces the perception that policymaking now is more unpredictable and concentrated in the hands of one man who perhaps lacks some of the decades of experience that his predecessors had.”

Prince Mohammed, 32, surpassed more senior cousins to become heir apparent a year ago, concentrating power and pushing through rapid change in a country which for decades was ruled by consensus. He has also taken a more aggressive stance against arch-rival Iran, beginning a three-year-old war in Yemen and leading a boycott of fellow Gulf Arab state Qatar.

The crown prince’s defenders said he may have had to placate religious conservatives, who had also been stifled in a previous crackdown on clerics opposed to social changes like lifting bans on cinemas and women driving.

Ali Shihabi, who runs the pro-Saudi Arabia Foundation in Washington, called the arrests a mistake and damaging to Saudi Arabia’s image. But Prince Mohammed had never pretended that political openness was on the cards, he said.

“To take on such a huge task, in a country with as wide a political and social spectrum as the Kingdom faces today... can only be done in a top down authoritarian manner. Nobody in Saudi pretends otherwise,” he tweeted last week.

&nbsp

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has won praise at home and abroad for his modernisation efforts, but he has also provoked unease with an anti-corruption purge last year, when scores of royals and top businessmen were detained at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on women’s rights campaigners, just weeks before the much-hyped lifting of a ban on women driving, has revived doubts about its crown prince’s inscrutable and seemingly erratic approach to reforms in the kingdom. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has seized most levers of power since rising from relative obscurity, is trying to diversify the biggest Arab economy away from oil and open up the deeply conservative Muslim country by easing strict social rules and promoting entertainment. He has won praise at home and abroad for his modernisation efforts, but he has also provoked unease with an anti-corruption purge last year, when scores of royals and top businessmen were detained at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. Most were freed after reaching settlements with the government in a secretive campaign that sent shockwaves through the business community. The arrest this month of nearly a dozen prominent activists, mostly women who for years urged reforms that are now being implemented and trumpeted abroad, has further disconcerted Western allies. Diplomats were unnerved that state-backed media had labelled the activists as “agents of the embassies”. “It’s tough because to date we’ve been encouraging of the Saudi reform agenda,” one diplomat said. “The Saudi government seems to be sending a message to friendly governments not to engage with anyone at all on government-led social reform, even where the messages we are hearing are supportive of the government and echoing what the government’s own international PR campaigns are saying.” The official reason for the arrests was suspicious contact with foreign entities and offering financial support to overseas enemies. No details were provided and security spokesmen have not responded to requests for comment. Following the latest arrests, diplomats in Riyadh have begun questioning how serious the kingdom is about change. Activists say the move signals that political openness will not be allowed to follow social liberalisation. “It sends a message domestically that don’t even think about opposing any government policy, but the message internationally is completely different,” said Kristian Coates Ulrichsen from Texas-based Rice University’s Baker Institute. He said it was difficult to assess the “opaque” decision-making process behind the crackdown. “We just have no idea. It reinforces the perception that policymaking now is more unpredictable and concentrated in the hands of one man who perhaps lacks some of the decades of experience that his predecessors had.” Prince Mohammed, 32, surpassed more senior cousins to become heir apparent a year ago, concentrating power and pushing through rapid change in a country which for decades was ruled by consensus. He has also taken a more aggressive stance against arch-rival Iran, beginning a three-year-old war in Yemen and leading a boycott of fellow Gulf Arab state Qatar. The crown prince’s defenders said he may have had to placate religious conservatives, who had also been stifled in a previous crackdown on clerics opposed to social changes like lifting bans on cinemas and women driving. Ali Shihabi, who runs the pro-Saudi Arabia Foundation in Washington, called the arrests a mistake and damaging to Saudi Arabia’s image. But Prince Mohammed had never pretended that political openness was on the cards, he said. “To take on such a huge task, in a country with as wide a political and social spectrum as the Kingdom faces today... can only be done in a top down authoritarian manner. Nobody in Saudi pretends otherwise,” he tweeted last week.

Saudi women’s rights activists' arrest revives concerns about reform agenda

Sports stadiums in Saudi Arabia will open their doors to women to attend football matches for the first time ever on Friday, the government has announced.

&quot;The first match that women will be allowed to watch will be Al-Ahli versus Al-Batin on Friday, January 12,&quot; the ministry of information said in a statement on Monday.

It said women would also be able to attend the second match on the following day and the third one on January 18.

Women from across the vast Gulf kingdom may be able to take advantage of this new freedom as the first match will be held in the capital Riyadh, the second in Jeddah on the Red Sea and the third in the eastern city of Dammam.

The kingdom, which has some of the world&#39;s tightest restrictions on women, has long barred women from sports arenas by strict rules on segregation of the sexes in public.

Under Saudi Arabia&#39;s existing guardianship system, a male family member, normally the father, husband or brother must grant permission for a woman&#39;s study, travel and a host of other activities.

But the conservative kingdom has in recent months eased some of its most notorious restrictions on women, including the lifting of a driving ban -- set to go into effect in June.

In September, hundreds of women were allowed to enter a sports stadium in Riyadh, used mostly for football matches, for the first time to mark Saudi Arabia&#39;s national day.

The easing of social controls comes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looks to repackage the oil-rich nation as more moderate and welcoming.

The powerful crown princes&#39; Vision 2030 programme for a post-oil era stems partly from an economic motive to boost domestic spending on entertainment as the kingdom reels from an energy slump.

Saudis splurge billions of dollars annually on entertainment in the neighbouring tourist hubs of Bahrain and Dubai.

But as a part of the crown prince&#39;s reforms drive, Saudi Arabia announced in December it was lifting a decades-ban on cinemas with the first movie theatres expected to open in March.

&nbsp;

'The first match that women will be allowed to watch will be Al-Ahli versus Al-Batin on Friday, January 12," the ministry of information said in a statement on Monday

Sports stadiums in Saudi Arabia will open their doors to women to attend football matches for the first time ever on Friday, the government has announced. "The first match that women will be allowed to watch will be Al-Ahli versus Al-Batin on Friday, January 12," the ministry of information said in a statement on Monday. It said women would also be able to attend the second match on the following day and the third one on January 18. Women from across the vast Gulf kingdom may be able to take advantage of this new freedom as the first match will be held in the capital Riyadh, the second in Jeddah on the Red Sea and the third in the eastern city of Dammam. The kingdom, which has some of the world's tightest restrictions on women, has long barred women from sports arenas by strict rules on segregation of the sexes in public. Under Saudi Arabia's existing guardianship system, a male family member, normally the father, husband or brother must grant permission for a woman's study, travel and a host of other activities. But the conservative kingdom has in recent months eased some of its most notorious restrictions on women, including the lifting of a driving ban -- set to go into effect in June. In September, hundreds of women were allowed to enter a sports stadium in Riyadh, used mostly for football matches, for the first time to mark Saudi Arabia's national day. The easing of social controls comes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looks to repackage the oil-rich nation as more moderate and welcoming. The powerful crown princes' Vision 2030 programme for a post-oil era stems partly from an economic motive to boost domestic spending on entertainment as the kingdom reels from an energy slump. Saudis splurge billions of dollars annually on entertainment in the neighbouring tourist hubs of Bahrain and Dubai. But as a part of the crown prince's reforms drive, Saudi Arabia announced in December it was lifting a decades-ban on cinemas with the first movie theatres expected to open in March.

This Friday, Saudi women to enter sports stadiums for first time

With princes not spared charges of corruption and women granted permission to start driving, Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s Vision 2030 is certainly displaying its credibility. The Saudi government has stated that women will be permitted to drive cars from June next year. At present, regulations regarding this are being worked upon.

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<h5>The hard truth is that in most non-Arab countries, a stereotyped image of Saudi Arabia prevails.</h5>
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Interestingly, &#39;news&#39; of Saudi women being permitted to drive has been accorded substantial media coverage, more than most news items regarding the kingdom usually are. This isn&rsquo;t surprising. The hard truth is that in most non-Arab countries, a stereotyped image of Saudi Arabia prevails.

Yes, there is no denying that the trend in most parts of the world is to think of Saudi Arabia primarily as an oil country and a conservative Islamic country where Muslims periodically gather for pilgrimage. There is also the perception that women here are discriminated against. Besides, the spread of conflict in several Arab nations has enhanced the negative perception of linking Muslims with terrorism.

These factors apparently prompted Saudi King and Crown Prince to move ahead with some dynamic measures needed to change the opinion of others towards Saudi Arabia. If they had not come out with Vision 2030, in all probability the Kingdom would not have attracted much attention.

Careful analysis of this programme suggests that it was probably viewed as pertinent to prevent Saudi citizens from losing hope in coming years, to instil confidence in them about their promising future and also to derail prospects of regional chaos spilling into the Kingdom. After all, landmark, set for 2030, that is 17 years from now, carries promises for children as well as the youth of today. They include women, as laid out specifically in the Vision.

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<h5>The Vision 2030 also plans to raise a percentage of Saudi women employment rate from 12 per cent to 40 per cent and increase their participation in the workforce from 22 per cent to 30 per cent.</h5>
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A close analysis of Saudi women&rsquo;s status suggests that issue of their being permitted to drive is not the first or only step taken by the Saudi government for their progress. It may be recalled, in 1957, with the support of the then King&rsquo;s wife, private schools for girls were established in Jeddah. Though there were protests in certain areas, this movement continued and from the late 1970s, university education for women was paid greater attention.

The same drive is expected to be continued with greater dynamism through Vision 2030. Drawing attention to high literacy rate of Saudi women and their being engaged in development of country&rsquo;s society and economy, the Vision diligently states, &ldquo;With over 50 percent of our university graduates being female, we will continue to develop their talents, invest in their productive capabilities and enable them to strengthen their future and contribute to the development of our society and economy.&rdquo; The Vision also plans to raise a percentage of Saudi women employment rate from 12 per cent to 40 per cent and increase their participation in the workforce from 22 per cent to 30 per cent.

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<h5>Slowly but definitely, the Kingdom has been taking strides to ensure progress of Saudi women and also change stereotyped image held about them as well as the country.</h5>
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Slowly but definitely, the Kingdom has been taking strides to ensure progress of Saudi women and also change stereotyped image held about them as well as the country. Less than a decade ago, the first women to hold a cabinet post was Norah Al Faiz. She was appointed as deputy minister of education in charge of women&rsquo;s affairs in February 2009. The period was also marked by visits between Saudi Arabia and several countries, with delegations including women. When Saudi King visited India as the Republic Day Chief Guest (2006), the media delegation included women.

Vision 2030&rsquo;s agenda resting on three pillars, with first being religious and other two being economically as well as regionally oriented, was certainly not conceived and/or planned overnight. The steps being taken over past few decades, for instance, regarding the progress of women, are a testimony to this fact. Earlier this year, Vision 2030 led to Sarah Al Suhaini&rsquo;s appointment as chair of Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s stock exchange. A woman has been appointed to this position for the first time in this country.

Besides, Rania Mahmoud Nashar was appointed as chief executive of Samba Financial Group, one of the country&rsquo;s largest national banks and Latifa Al-Sabhan as a chief financial officer of Arab National Bank. Globally, only around four per cent, women chair boards and around 12 percent hold board seats.

The emphasis laid in Vision 2030 to create job opportunities for Saudi youth and ensure their qualifications to build a vibrant and ambitious nation is directed towards gaining their confidence. And this apparently is viewed as vital to maintain political stability in the country. Crisis elsewhere in the Arab world has been primarily linked with unemployment faced by youth there.

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<h5>The ruling monarchy is well aware that at this stage it cannot afford to lose confidence of its youth.</h5>
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The ruling monarchy is well aware that at this stage it cannot afford to lose the confidence of its youth. More than 50 percent of the Saudi population is below the age of 25 years. The Vision states, &ldquo;We will guarantee their skills are developed and properly deployed.&rdquo; A priority of Vision towards Saudi Arabia emerging as a &ldquo;global investment powerhouse&rdquo; and a &ldquo;regional leader,&rdquo; also guarantees citizens of employment opportunities in their own country.

The iron hand with which several Saudi princes and ministers have recently been arrested and/or dismissed on charges of corruption cannot be de-linked from Vision 2030. This sudden move may be viewed as yet another step to boost people&rsquo;s confidence in the &ldquo;ambitious&rdquo; Vision and that the country is &ldquo;effectively governed.&rdquo; The Vision states, &ldquo;We shall have zero tolerance for all levels of corruption, whether administrative or financial.&rdquo;

Overall, a greater thrust of Vision is on Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s economic drive, globally, regionally and nationally. There is an also economic angle behind Saudi women being permitted to drive. Drivers employed in Saudi Arabia form around 60 per cent of foreign domestic workers. The remittances from drivers that leaves Saudi Arabia annually is higher than four billion dollars.

When women actually start driving, it is expected to spell advantages for Saudi Arabia socially and economically. Also, it wouldn&rsquo;t be surprising to see global media paying attention to the country through a new lens, for a change, which is not totally tainted with a negative approach. Vision 2030 is thus directed not just towards the agenda outlined in it but also compel people across the world to change their stereotyped perceptions about Saudi Arabia!

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

A priority of Vision towards Saudi Arabia emerging as a ?global investment powerhouse? and a ?regional leader,? guarantees employment opportunities and basic rights

With princes not spared charges of corruption and women granted permission to start driving, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is certainly displaying its credibility. The Saudi government has stated that women will be permitted to drive cars from June next year. At present, regulations regarding this are being worked upon. The hard truth is that in most non-Arab countries, a stereotyped image of Saudi Arabia prevails. × Interestingly, 'news' of Saudi women being permitted to drive has been accorded substantial media coverage, more than most news items regarding the kingdom usually are. This isn’t surprising. The hard truth is that in most non-Arab countries, a stereotyped image of Saudi Arabia prevails. Yes, there is no denying that the trend in most parts of the world is to think of Saudi Arabia primarily as an oil country and a conservative Islamic country where Muslims periodically gather for pilgrimage. There is also the perception that women here are discriminated against. Besides, the spread of conflict in several Arab nations has enhanced the negative perception of linking Muslims with terrorism. These factors apparently prompted Saudi King and Crown Prince to move ahead with some dynamic measures needed to change the opinion of others towards Saudi Arabia. If they had not come out with Vision 2030, in all probability the Kingdom would not have attracted much attention. Careful analysis of this programme suggests that it was probably viewed as pertinent to prevent Saudi citizens from losing hope in coming years, to instil confidence in them about their promising future and also to derail prospects of regional chaos spilling into the Kingdom. After all, landmark, set for 2030, that is 17 years from now, carries promises for children as well as the youth of today. They include women, as laid out specifically in the Vision. The Vision 2030 also plans to raise a percentage of Saudi women employment rate from 12 per cent to 40 per cent and increase their participation in the workforce from 22 per cent to 30 per cent. × A close analysis of Saudi women’s status suggests that issue of their being permitted to drive is not the first or only step taken by the Saudi government for their progress. It may be recalled, in 1957, with the support of the then King’s wife, private schools for girls were established in Jeddah. Though there were protests in certain areas, this movement continued and from the late 1970s, university education for women was paid greater attention. The same drive is expected to be continued with greater dynamism through Vision 2030. Drawing attention to high literacy rate of Saudi women and their being engaged in development of country’s society and economy, the Vision diligently states, “With over 50 percent of our university graduates being female, we will continue to develop their talents, invest in their productive capabilities and enable them to strengthen their future and contribute to the development of our society and economy.” The Vision also plans to raise a percentage of Saudi women employment rate from 12 per cent to 40 per cent and increase their participation in the workforce from 22 per cent to 30 per cent. Slowly but definitely, the Kingdom has been taking strides to ensure progress of Saudi women and also change stereotyped image held about them as well as the country. × Slowly but definitely, the Kingdom has been taking strides to ensure progress of Saudi women and also change stereotyped image held about them as well as the country. Less than a decade ago, the first women to hold a cabinet post was Norah Al Faiz. She was appointed as deputy minister of education in charge of women’s affairs in February 2009. The period was also marked by visits between Saudi Arabia and several countries, with delegations including women. When Saudi King visited India as the Republic Day Chief Guest (2006), the media delegation included women. Vision 2030’s agenda resting on three pillars, with first being religious and other two being economically as well as regionally oriented, was certainly not conceived and/or planned overnight. The steps being taken over past few decades, for instance, regarding the progress of women, are a testimony to this fact. Earlier this year, Vision 2030 led to Sarah Al Suhaini’s appointment as chair of Saudi Arabia’s stock exchange. A woman has been appointed to this position for the first time in this country. Besides, Rania Mahmoud Nashar was appointed as chief executive of Samba Financial Group, one of the country’s largest national banks and Latifa Al-Sabhan as a chief financial officer of Arab National Bank. Globally, only around four per cent, women chair boards and around 12 percent hold board seats. The emphasis laid in Vision 2030 to create job opportunities for Saudi youth and ensure their qualifications to build a vibrant and ambitious nation is directed towards gaining their confidence. And this apparently is viewed as vital to maintain political stability in the country. Crisis elsewhere in the Arab world has been primarily linked with unemployment faced by youth there. The ruling monarchy is well aware that at this stage it cannot afford to lose confidence of its youth. × The ruling monarchy is well aware that at this stage it cannot afford to lose the confidence of its youth. More than 50 percent of the Saudi population is below the age of 25 years. The Vision states, “We will guarantee their skills are developed and properly deployed.” A priority of Vision towards Saudi Arabia emerging as a “global investment powerhouse” and a “regional leader,” also guarantees citizens of employment opportunities in their own country. The iron hand with which several Saudi princes and ministers have recently been arrested and/or dismissed on charges of corruption cannot be de-linked from Vision 2030. This sudden move may be viewed as yet another step to boost people’s confidence in the “ambitious” Vision and that the country is “effectively governed.” The Vision states, “We shall have zero tolerance for all levels of corruption, whether administrative or financial.” Overall, a greater thrust of Vision is on Saudi Arabia’s economic drive, globally, regionally and nationally. There is an also economic angle behind Saudi women being permitted to drive. Drivers employed in Saudi Arabia form around 60 per cent of foreign domestic workers. The remittances from drivers that leaves Saudi Arabia annually is higher than four billion dollars. When women actually start driving, it is expected to spell advantages for Saudi Arabia socially and economically. Also, it wouldn’t be surprising to see global media paying attention to the country through a new lens, for a change, which is not totally tainted with a negative approach. Vision 2030 is thus directed not just towards the agenda outlined in it but also compel people across the world to change their stereotyped perceptions about Saudi Arabia! (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Vision 2030 embodies Saudi quest for modernity

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Opinion: Vision 2030 embodies Saudi quest for modernity