After lifting ban on driving, Saudi Arabia allows women to become notaries

After lifting the ban on women drivers, Saudi Arabia has now allowed its women to become notaries, AFP reported. According to the justice ministry, there have already been 12 granted permission in the profession.

In a landmark move, women in Saudi Arabia will now be able to issue and cancel the powers of attorney and certify documents to help establish companies or transfer property rights.

Saudi prince Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman seeks to improve Saudi Arabia's image and wean the economy off its dependence on oil.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Despite achieving the privilege to drive cars and become notaries, women in Saudi Arabia still depend on their closest male relatives for making basic decisions like enrolling in classes, renewing their passport, or undergoing some medical procedures.

On June 24, Saudi Arabia made history as its lifted the longstanding ban on women drivers. Females in Saudi Arabia took to the streets expressing great delight to be able to finally drive on the country's roads.

While the landmark move is still being opposed by some factions in the country, the international community has welcomed the decision calling it one of the biggest moves towards female empowerment in the conservative country.

King Salman, in September 2017, called for an end to the decades-long ban from June 2018. Subsequently, a handful of driving schools for women were permitted to open in cities like Riyadh and Jeddah. The kingdom began issuing its first driving licences to women in decades in June.

(With inputs from AFP)