Saudi women plead for an end to guardianship

riyadh — Thousands of Saudis have signed a petition urging an end to the guardianship system that gives men control over the study, marriage and travel of female relatives, campaigners said on Tuesday.

The petition calls for the kingdom’s women to be treated “as a full citizen, and decide an age where she will be an adult and will be responsible for her own acts”, said campaigner Aziza Al Yousef.

The retired university professor said that she tried unsuccessfully to deliver the petition containing 14,700 names to the Royal Court on Monday. The campaigners will now send it by mail as requested.

Under the guardianship system a male family member, normally the father, husband or brother, must grant permission for a woman’s study, travel and other activities.

Campaigners say that even female prisoners have to be received by the guardian upon their release, meaning that some have to languish in jail or a shelter beyond their sentences if the man does not want to accept them.—