The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has affirmed its commitment to protecting all citizens and residents through saving no effort in enforcing the law stipulations in accordance with the Sharia.
Saudi Arabia’s General Prosecution has adopted a number of initiatives and social awareness programs that help empower the community and reduce exploitation of incumbent rules, especially when it comes to male guardianship. However, the body reiterated that the number of cases on abuse of male guardianship it deals with is restricted and doesn’t represent a widespread phenomenon.
Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al-Moajab said that public prosecution has held a workshop on the concept of Guardianship in Islam, adding that a research study will be conducted and presented to higher authorities.
The workshop focused on social awareness. It also discussed measures to reduce abuse of guardianship laws and boosting mechanisms of cooperation between social protection departments, specialized departments and criminal reconciliation offices at Public Prosecution.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Zahrani made a presentation in which he highlighted the recommendations and suggestions made by the workshop to enhance citizen safety.
Legal adviser Dr. Ibrahim Al-Abbadi told Asharq Al-Awsat that male guardianship over a woman in Islam does not go beyond the question of marriage, which has also been debated among scholars.
He pointed out that some traditions that limit or prevent women's actions have nothing to do with Islam. Saudi Arabia has signed the Convention against Discrimination, which limits gender-based discrimination between women and men.
In 2017-2018, Saudi Arabia has accomplished many goals for empowering women: such as allowing adult females to drive, entering sports stadiums, and licensing Saudi women wishing to practice law-related professions.
The last two years also saw the appointment of Saudi women to senior positions, ministries backing pro-women decisions, and the implementation of measures to prevent discrimination against women in the workplace.
