Nine things Saudi women still can't do

E-Paper | April 25, 2026

RIYADH: Saudi women vote Saturday for the first time in elections but still face a host of other restrictions, among the tightest in the world.

Under Saudi policies and practices women cannot:

Drive; Saudi Arabia is the world's only country banning women from getting behind the wheel
Travel, without the consent of a male family member known as a guardian
Marry, without the consent of a guardian
Work, without the consent of a guardian
Appear in public without covering herself in a black abaya robe from head to toe
Receive the same amount of inheritance as a man
Work in certain jobs
Mingle with unrelated men in public places such as restaurants
Divorce as easily as a man

Saudi women can:

Vote in municipal elections, the kingdom's only polls for public officials
Sit on the Shura Council, an appointed body which advises cabinet
Hold the most senior corporate executive posts
Work in government administration and an expanding number of private sector areas, including as lawyers
Be forced to marry at a young age, as there is no legally defined minimum age

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Kamal Pasha

Dec 12, 2015 02:31pm

And men are allowed to do what they want.

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Bitter Truth

Dec 12, 2015 02:57pm

So what's wrong in that?

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Ali Ahmed Bandesha

Dec 12, 2015 03:42pm

Very good rules.

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Gillani

Dec 12, 2015 03:54pm

All rules except driving are perfectly according to Shariah and should be implemented in every Muslim country. I wonder why not driving ?

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Atam Vetta

Dec 12, 2015 04:02pm

What is wrong with that? Today,women in the West are at the forefront of scientific research &development look at any issue of the 2 leading scientific journals [NATURE (UK) & Science (USA)], in Professions (in the UK medical colleges 60% of the students are women), CEOs of international companies, Engineering Colleges in the West, Armed forces (even in the Pak Air Force), etc. In politics a woman is likely to be the next US President. Arguably, India's BEST Foreign Minister is the current one, a woman. Women NOW excel in almost all educational fields. A society that denies 50% of her population an opportunity to contribute to it, is destined to be a failure in the modern world.

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Common Man

Dec 12, 2015 04:03pm

My goodness ! These rules are liked by all viewers ! Is there any sense prevailing that the modern world moves with men and women with equal right ?

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Kabeer

Dec 12, 2015 04:18pm

Actually Saudis have mingled their tribal customs with Islam besides above there are lots of other things in Saudi culture which are not compatible with Islam they still have to learn many things to adopt Islam in totality with its true spirit

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anshul

Dec 12, 2015 04:26pm

In short women are slave of men with certain permissions. Amazed to see many commenters find these 'donts' perfectly alright. Wish good luck for saudi(world) women to achieve own freedom.

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faryal

Dec 12, 2015 04:29pm

is there any rule for man?

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P Datta

Dec 12, 2015 04:32pm

What happens if any women decides to take an independent path according to her choice or will ?

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Divergence

Dec 12, 2015 04:41pm

Educated societies don't operate on the principle that women need to be taught a lesson, when they want to live as free citizens.

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Sivaram Pochiraju

Dec 12, 2015 05:03pm

What a shame ! Is this modern era or some cave age ?

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Najma Hisham

Dec 12, 2015 05:11pm

Living in India and Pakistan is no better for women. What has improved for women? nothing.

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Sivaram Pochiraju

Dec 12, 2015 05:11pm

What is the use of a society, which simply can't respect women ? A man is born to a woman and this man simply doesn't care for a woman in the name of some law that too made by a man or some men. How can a society progress under such conditions ? It is undoubtedly assault on the liberty of women.

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Junaid

Dec 12, 2015 05:14pm

After all this is a men's world.

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Ranjeet Singh Awarra

Dec 12, 2015 05:15pm

My Sister Najma, I feel your sadness.

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GNR

Dec 12, 2015 05:29pm

The rules imposed on women is in human, and almost barbaric.

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GNR

Dec 12, 2015 05:32pm

I have seen many countries and and proud to see no limits women Cana archive in India be it sports, science, education or political front. Way to go.

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Mohammad

Dec 12, 2015 05:56pm

It's a sham that these rules are made for women, women who are our mothers and sisters and daughters,. Even more shame is when some one justify them. Please wake up my brothers.

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Sajawal

Dec 12, 2015 06:09pm

Excellent

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Huzaifah

Dec 12, 2015 06:20pm

@Gillani They have got the opportunity to Chauffeur Driver Cars :)

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Aftab

Dec 12, 2015 06:22pm

Feel bad for the womens.

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Huzaifah

Dec 12, 2015 06:26pm

Although there are some exceptional rules for Saudi women, but these woman are living luxurious life, the western woman and Muslim women in 3rd world countries can even imagine.

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Sri

Dec 12, 2015 06:28pm

@Gillani because every woman should be given the freedom to decide whom she wants to marry,where she wants to travel,what she wants to study and receive equal inheritance from her parents

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Sri

Dec 12, 2015 06:29pm

@Najma Hisham India isn't that bad..bt yes lots of scope for improvement

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abnv

Dec 12, 2015 06:42pm

ksa will come to senses once they run out of oil and that time is not very far.

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Abdul malik

Dec 12, 2015 06:52pm

When we claim that injunctions are valid till last day. Then the wrong restrictions should be reviewed to bring them in plausible shape. Instead of rigidity. When a woman has not equal share than man. It is right as she also receives one share from her parents and other from husband that equals to man. While claiming equality in every sphere of life is not possible even in the countries which are given for example. Both man and woman has separate fields of work. One can not take other place. She works in certain circumstances for livelihood while she is not bound to work but man is required to do so. Driving is a very simpl.

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kkk

Dec 12, 2015 07:19pm

This is,nothing but ego problem Of the man .should see the amitabh bachan and jay bachan evergreen movie abhimaan.

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Divergence

Dec 12, 2015 07:22pm

The luxuries these so called educated women have are spiteful. Spend your life in a respectable manner rather than as slaves

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Mr. President

Dec 12, 2015 07:33pm

We keep saying, Pakistan is this, and Pakistan is that... atleast we are not Saudi Arabia.

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PakCanuck

Dec 12, 2015 07:38pm

@Bitter Truth everything. Men and Women are equal. Period.

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PakCanuck

Dec 12, 2015 07:39pm

@Gillani Are you living in cave era? Men and Women are equal.

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Dec 12, 2015 07:41pm

Shameful and ridiculous.

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Faheem Mohamedi

Dec 12, 2015 07:45pm

Let the women make all their own rules. No nation can progress without their women working hand in hand. Show me one developed nation were the women are not educated. Education is the key. Educate the women and alleviate poverty

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SARAT

Dec 12, 2015 07:49pm

Saudi has to learn a lot from Indonesia, the most populous muslim country in the world. Religious faith is a private thing. They dont dictate it on anybody. Their neighbour another muslim country Malaysia has the same tolerant and inclusive . A long way to go for countries like Saudi, Iran and many other countries in Middle east.

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Divergence

Dec 12, 2015 07:49pm

It is all about men's mindset in certain countries, and surprisingly in many cases, women's mindsets also complement the men's. So these things would look strange to outsiders like us, but I think most of arab women would be perfectly comfortable with their lives.

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A.M

Dec 12, 2015 08:04pm

Amazed at some of the comments here... I really hope they were attempts were at sarcasm. Women are equal to men in every way, there must be no question about it if we are to develop as a constructive society.

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aamed

Dec 12, 2015 08:13pm

Shameful that an adult woman, as capable and intelligent as any mam in her life, should have to get "permission" to live her life. What kind of sharia is this?

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Irfan

Dec 12, 2015 08:49pm

No Gender equality in Islamic countries.

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ali

Dec 12, 2015 08:54pm

It's their local matter, should be left for Saudis to decide. Are u guys suggesting world should invade the kingdom to liberate women according to their standards. Everyone should try to put their own house in order then town city country...

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SHAHEEN CHANGEZI

Dec 12, 2015 09:23pm

@anshul ; But women are safe in Saudi Arabia. No case of brutal rape in moving public bus or car, never.

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AB Uzair

Dec 12, 2015 09:24pm

Well non-Saudi men are worse than Saudi women in terms of rights.

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Fawzia

Dec 12, 2015 09:30pm

Clearly, all the people agreeing with the idiotic restrictions on women in saudi arabia, are suffering from an acute case of inferiority complex

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Abdulla Hussain

Dec 12, 2015 09:41pm

Real golden rules to protect & respect women from all walk of life.

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Dec 12, 2015 11:11pm

@ali No, we are suggesting that Saudi Arabia put a vote to just the women on what rules they would consider fair to be governed by.

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Sadia

Dec 12, 2015 11:47pm

@Mr. President Agreed. All those commentators who think there is nothing wrong with these rules are unsurprisingly men. No word from women folks here. Let me say then as a Pakistani woman, I am glad that I was not born in SA. Pakistan is no heaven for women but atleast we do not have such misogynistic and suffocating rules here.

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Shakil USA

Dec 12, 2015 11:59pm

@Fawzia Well said.

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Naveed,USA

Dec 13, 2015 12:10am

@Sivaram Pochiraju It''s not a shame, but you will not understand it.

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Hussain

Dec 13, 2015 12:47am

Hope for the best even American women started voting some 80 years ago..

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Cyrus

Dec 13, 2015 01:14am

. You mentioned the nine things Saudi Women can't do. You failed to mention the nine things Saudi women don't want to do.

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Noor Jahan

Dec 13, 2015 02:06am

@Kamal Pasha : No men are not allowed to what they want. There are thing for men "Do" and "Don't". Islam is strick for both men and women. Don't get wrong.

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Noor Jahan

Dec 13, 2015 02:07am

@Atam Vetta : This article is not talking about "Westren Women". It is about "muslim women."

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Noor Jahan

Dec 13, 2015 02:09am

@faryal : Yes, there are lots of rules for men too.

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Noor Jahan

Dec 13, 2015 02:10am

@P Datta : Yes, she can. There is freedom in Islam, You obey or not you have choice.

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Rick_james

Dec 13, 2015 02:12am

Their country, their rules. Everyone else should mind their own business.

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Mr.Afghanistan

Dec 13, 2015 02:24am

Saudi citizens and vote? hahahahaha Can't stop laughing... Joke of the year :)

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Satyam Vada

Dec 13, 2015 05:19am

@Najma Hisham I don't know where in India you are from. I am from South and I can tell you I was brought up just the way my brother was in fact my parents gave me more freedom as they believed my brother to be naive. And things did improve a lot for women(for example, equal property rights)

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Satyam Vada

Dec 13, 2015 05:21am

@Huzaifah Not really 25% saudis(not immigrants) live in poverty. All don't own oil. And would you choose money over freedom? women make same choices.

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YOUKNOWIMRIGHT

Dec 13, 2015 06:20am

So, @Divergence you "think most of arab women would be perfectly comfortable with their lives". On that basis, so too were cavemen and women, until they found advancement and enlightenment, and so forth through the millennium.

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Dr Vimal

Dec 13, 2015 06:42am

@ali yes I am

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syed

Dec 13, 2015 07:18am

So what's the problem. Its their country and their laws. Are these against the feminism? ?

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Pray&Prey

Dec 13, 2015 08:06am

@GNR :Oh yes, they are human, but NOT humane!

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Indian

Dec 13, 2015 08:07am

@Huzaifah >Although there are some exceptional rules for Saudi women, but these woman are living luxurious life, the western woman and Muslim women in 3rd world countries can even imagine. In general and simple word it is called 'Sone ka pinjara'.

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Pray&Prey

Dec 13, 2015 08:26am

@ali : Yes, and then the rest of the world!

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adil

Dec 13, 2015 12:09pm

this is insane.

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Hassana

Dec 13, 2015 08:31pm

@Huzaifah : Very few women are living luxurious lives, if you go to poor parts of saudia, you would understand that not everyone is rich in Saudia.....

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KAM

Dec 14, 2015 01:21am

@Kamal Pasha : Men & Women are abide by the Saudi's Law.

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KAM

Dec 14, 2015 01:49am

@Kabeer : KSA and Kuwait are only two countries practicing pure ISLAMIC judiciary system in the whole wide world. As for their laws, it should be respected and followed like any other country while visiting KSA.

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KAM

Dec 14, 2015 01:52am

@faryal : Men have their rights as women do too.

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KAM

Dec 14, 2015 02:19am

@kkk : watching too many movies has ruined societies so much already.

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illawarrior

Dec 14, 2015 07:26am

@SHAHEEN CHANGEZI But lots of rape of housemaids in employers' homes, most of which goes unreported, due to fear of imprisonment or deportation.

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ppm

Dec 14, 2015 08:44am

@Mohammad ; Glad there are sane voice left ..

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Gareeb Khan

Dec 14, 2015 12:44pm

@faryal "is there any rule for man?" Yes, a man can not have more than 4 wives. Don't you think that is somewhat harsh on men?

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Saad

Dec 14, 2015 02:13pm

I feel ashamed to see that some people in today's age defend the don'ts for women. This is not Islam, these are tribal rules framed as Islamic and part of shariah. I am a Muslim but I don't believe in these caveman rules. Both men and women are independent and compliment each other, no one need the permission of the other gender to live or operate in the world.

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Jag

Dec 14, 2015 06:00pm

@Najma Hisham ...Don't talk about India...Talk about Pak as you are from there

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