New Year’s gift to Saudi women, permitted to enter sports stadium from Jan ‘18

Riyadh,October 30:Islamic State of Saudi Arabia is on the way to simplify its orthodox rules. The country has allowed its women citizens to enter the sports stadium from January 2018. Families will be able to enter the stadiums in three major cities - Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam by a statement issued by the General Sport Authority, the country's governing body for sports yesterday. After the radical decision of lifting ban of women driving this is another move towards giving more freedom to Saudi women.

 

A country where even opening a bank account or for any legal actions needs the consent of male guardian this is a revolutionary step. This September, Saudi women participated in Riyadh stadium’s celebration.

One of the prime factors behind this modernization is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's "vision for 2030" plan. Along with economic boost it’s a drive for a social change by empowering women’s status.

The previously male-only venues of King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, King Abdullah Sport City in Jeddah, and Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam will begin preparations to "accommodate families," the statement said. Specific seating arrangements are unclear at the moment; Saudi men and women are customarily separated in places where they are both allowed.