Fayez Nureldine—AFP
Women are able to contest and vote in local body elections for the first time this year, but they still have a long way to go for equality.
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
No woman can travel without the consent of a male family member known as a guardian.
Marry
Marriage is forbidden without the consent of a male guardian.
Work
Every woman must seek the consent of a guardian before securing employment.
Clothing
Women cannot appear in public without covering themselves in a black abaya robe from head to toe
Inheritance
Women cannot receive the same amount of inheritance as a man.
Employment Restrictions
Even with permission from guardians, women are barred from working in certain jobs.
Co-mingling of Sexes
Women are not permitted to be with unrelated men in public places such as restaurants.
Divorce
Saudi law makes it much harder for a woman attempting to divorce her husband.