End male ‘guardianship’ over Saudi women, urges HRW

“The Saudi government should abide by its international obligations and dismantle this grossly discriminatory system,” HRW said, calling for the establishment of an “oversight mechanism” to ensure it stops being applied.

HRW said the male guardianship of women and policies of sex segregation in the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom deprive women of their basic rights.

“Saudi women often must obtain permission from a guardian – a father, husband, or even a son – to work, travel, study, marry or even access healthcare,” it said.

Authorities “treat adult women like legal minors” who cannot make even “trivial decisions” for their children without written permission from the child’s father.

HRW said male guardianship over adult women “contributes to their risk of confronting family violence, making it difficult for survivors of violence to avail themselves of protection or redress.”

Saudi women are also prevented from accessing government agencies that have not established female sections unless they have a male representative.