Illustration by Fintan O’Sullivan
On January 16, for the first time in history, Saudi Arabia allowed women to attend a local soccer game. The decree allowing women spectators inside sports arenas is part of Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030” plan.
The plan, intended to boost Saudi Arabia’s economy and lessen its dependence on oil, is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s attempt at creating a more progressive country where women’s rights are much more accounted for.
Saudi Arabia is currently among the strictest and most conservative countries in the world when it comes to women’s rights. Under its jurisdiction, women need a male’s permission to marry, divorce, travel, or get a job. Moreover, women must wear an abaya in public, and cannot mix freely with men in general areas.
However, it appears that Saudi Arabia is gradually increasing the rights of women in its country, with the latest reform allowing female spectators inside its sports arenas.
In 2017, King Allah granted women access to healthcare and education without needing the permission of her male guardian. In September of 2017, the Saudi government issued a decree that would allow women to acquire driver’s licenses (the act will be enforced in June of 2018). And now, as of early 2018, women spectators are able to go to three of the many stadiums throughout Saudi Arabia.
The stadiums, located in the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, have the highest seating capacity and host the top division of Saudi Arabia’s professional soccer teams.
Despite this progress, women will still be separated from men in “family sections.” There will also be appointed “family” parking areas, restrooms, and entrances.
Although many find the decree to be a great first step towards achieving gender equality in Saudi Arabia, it has triggered a significant backlash from more conservative Muslims.
On twitter, a hashtag started spreading throughout the application, reading, “a woman’s place should be in the home.” Other sexist comments were made on social media as well, speaking out against the decree in a more discrete way.
Nevertheless, this new policy striving for equality in sports is a sign of Saudi Arabia inching towards a more equal country and a “more moderate Islam.”