A picture of a Saudi female Royal Guard standing beside her colleague circulated on Twitter, highlighting the gains Saudi women have recently made from new employment opportunities to more social freedoms.

 

For years, Saudi women were unable to serve in the military or drive, and strict guardianship laws limited their freedom of movement.

 

But now, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 plan, women have earned more rights and freedoms. In February 2018, Saudi Arabia gave women the opportunity to join the military working in security services for the interior ministry, departments of criminal investigations, security patrol and pilgrimage security. In October 2019, the Kingdom opened the armed forces to women, saying they would be able to serve in the ranks of private first class, corporal or sergeant.

 

Prince Sattam bin Khaled al-Saud tweeted the photo, saying “One of the duties of the Royal Guard is to provide protection and security for the king and his guests during celebrations and conferences. Accordingly, the role of women in the Royal Guard will be to accompany the guests or women delegations that accompany the guests and deal with them and this is a beautiful and important thing.”