Saudi Women – “You just feel like you’re complete human” after removal of guardianship system

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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s international airports are the scene of the latest “first” for women citizens, who can now leave the country without permission from a male relative as the Kingdom chips away at its heavily criticised guardianship system.

Salma, a 40-year-old mother of three, travels abroad regularly with authorisation from her legal guardian – formerly her then-husband and now her father. But those rules were cancelled this month, so when she went to Riyadh airport on Thursday, she crossed passport control on her own authority. “You just feel like you’re human, you’re a complete human,” she told Reuters from the gate. “Not half, not part of, but you’re a complete human.” (RTRS)