The Saudi Human Rights Commission has called for immediate action and further measures to eliminate all forms of violence against women in the kingdom.
The agency is enhancing awareness about the dangers of domestic violence to families and society, and addressing the causes and consequences of the offences.
Protecting women’s rights and empowering them is a result of the political will and reform measures pursued by the Saudi leadership, the commission's president, Dr Awwad Al Awwad, said on Thursday.
Dr Al Awwad said the Saudi plan for sustainable growth, Vision 2030, relies on women as important and active partners in the process of nation building and development.
“This is essential to create an environment in which women can exercise their rights guaranteed by Sharia and the law, as well as to realise the aspiration of the wise leadership in accordance with the kingdom’s Vision 2030,” he said.
Part of the 2030 reforms include new regulations that aim to protect, preserve and promote women’s rights, including renewed laws for protection against abuse and harassment, and revised laws for child custody.
#SaudiArabia's Human Rights Commission is participating in the @UN's #OrangeTheWorld to bring awareness to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. #16DaysKSA #GenerationEquality #SpreadTheWord pic.twitter.com/py7LLAOzh2
— HRC International (@HRCSaudi_EN) November 25, 2020
Centres to receive reports of domestic violence, a family affairs council, committees to handle women’s affairs and a Civil Status court to look into family cases were also created, starting in 2016.
The commission lit up buildings in orange this week as a symbol of its commitment to the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
#DidYouKnow that #SaudiArabia has numerous reforms and efforts put into place to protect and support women suffering from domestic violence? #16DaysKSA #GenerationEquality #OrangeTheWorld #SpreadTheWord pic.twitter.com/3GJBc5v7Lp
— HRC International (@HRCSaudi_EN) November 26, 2020
Saudi Arabia has also made reforms to encourage women’s empowerment, including getting more into the workplace.
Saudi women no longer need to obtain a guardian’s approval for provision of any government services or to travel.
The World Bank praised the kingdom as the economy that showed the most progress towards gender equality since 2017, largely due to reforms like those included in Vision 2030.
“The kingdom’s Vision 2030 stipulates that women are an important component of our strength, and we will continue to develop their talents and invest their energies and empower them to obtain appropriate opportunities so as to build their future and contribute to the development of our society and our economy," Dr Al Awwad said.
