Saudi women finally allowed to have their own copy of marriage certificate

The law was implemented in order to 'protect women's rights'

SAUDI WOMEN: Tahany Omar, 36, has a Masters of Business Administration from the US but has found the job market challenging in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; she works in an investment firm, but not in management. (Washington Post photo by Linda Davidson)

Saudi Arabia has decreed that women now have the right to own a copy of their marriage certificates.

The decision, which was introduced by the Minister of Justice Waleed Al Samaani on Monday, aims to “protect women’s rights”.

Prior to the new legislation, only men were allowed to have a copy of the certificate. Now it is compulsory that a married woman’s guardian in Saudi Arabia gives her the certificate so she is aware of her rights and the conditions of the marriage.

Last month, Saudi Arabia announced its plans on how to decrease its reliance on crude exports in its Saudi Vision 2030 plan.

One of the reforms introduced is increasing the participating of Saudi women in the workforce, from 22% to 30% by the end of year 2030.

The new vision, revealed by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, also seeks to improve the education and training of Saudi citizens, both men and women, by equipping them with the skills needed to prepare them for the new opportunities to be provided.

Saudi women were given the right to vote in 2011 by late King Abdulla Bin AbdulAziz Al Saud and run as candidates in municipal election in 2015.

It is still illegal for women to drive or travel abroad without being accompanied by a male relative.