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Saudi Arabia: How women are making football history | Saudi Arabia: How women are making football history |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Women in Saudi Arabia are making history this month as they are permitted to watch soccer live from the stands for the first time. | Women in Saudi Arabia are making history this month as they are permitted to watch soccer live from the stands for the first time. |
They will be present at grounds in the country's three major cities. | They will be present at grounds in the country's three major cities. |
First off, female spectators will enter the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Friday to support their teams as Al-Ahli take on Al-Batin in the Saudi Professional League competition. | |
Saudi Arabia has been slowly granting additional rights to women in recent months in response to demands by activists - but how significant is this latest move? | Saudi Arabia has been slowly granting additional rights to women in recent months in response to demands by activists - but how significant is this latest move? |
Which matches can women watch? | Which matches can women watch? |
All unaccompanied adult women are permitted to enter stadiums in three major cities - Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. | All unaccompanied adult women are permitted to enter stadiums in three major cities - Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. |
On Thursday 18 January, Al-Ittifaq will be taking on Al-Faisali at the Prince Mohamed Bin Fahd Stadium in the eastern city of Dammam, where women are also welcome to attend. | |
Separately, Saudi Arabia has this week been hosting its first women's squash tournament. | Separately, Saudi Arabia has this week been hosting its first women's squash tournament. |
In November 2017, the country also introduced the women's basketball tournament for universities, which took place in Jeddah and was attended by about 3,000 women. | In November 2017, the country also introduced the women's basketball tournament for universities, which took place in Jeddah and was attended by about 3,000 women. |
Where will they sit for the football? | Where will they sit for the football? |
Women will view the games from stands in sections of each stadium with specially allocated seating for females and family. | Women will view the games from stands in sections of each stadium with specially allocated seating for females and family. |
This means that women attending the events will probably sit with children in segregated areas away from the men. | This means that women attending the events will probably sit with children in segregated areas away from the men. |
These sections have been made available specifically for women who are not accompanied by a male family member. | These sections have been made available specifically for women who are not accompanied by a male family member. |
Other areas within the venues, such as cafes and restaurants, have also been adapted to provide separate seating arrangements. | Other areas within the venues, such as cafes and restaurants, have also been adapted to provide separate seating arrangements. |
While out in public and at these events, the women must wear loose-fitting, full-length robes known as "abayas", as well as a headscarf if they are Muslim. | While out in public and at these events, the women must wear loose-fitting, full-length robes known as "abayas", as well as a headscarf if they are Muslim. |
Why is this happening now? | Why is this happening now? |
The move is part of a social reform plan spearheaded by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has pledged to transform the country with the government's Vision 2030 programme. | The move is part of a social reform plan spearheaded by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has pledged to transform the country with the government's Vision 2030 programme. |
It is aimed at giving more freedom to Saudi women, who face strict gender segregation rules, and follows the historic lifting of a driving ban in September 2017. | It is aimed at giving more freedom to Saudi women, who face strict gender segregation rules, and follows the historic lifting of a driving ban in September 2017. |
In the same month, women were allowed to participate in Saudi Arabia's National Day celebrations for the first time. | In the same month, women were allowed to participate in Saudi Arabia's National Day celebrations for the first time. |
Last year, Saudi Arabia also announced that it was lifting a ban on commercial cinemas that has lasted more than three decades. The first cinemas are expected to open in March this year. | Last year, Saudi Arabia also announced that it was lifting a ban on commercial cinemas that has lasted more than three decades. The first cinemas are expected to open in March this year. |
In December, thousands of women cheered and rose in a standing ovation at the first public concert performed by a female singer in the country. | In December, thousands of women cheered and rose in a standing ovation at the first public concert performed by a female singer in the country. |
Up until now, such sports and entertainment venues have been men-only areas. | Up until now, such sports and entertainment venues have been men-only areas. |
What can't Saudi women do independently? | What can't Saudi women do independently? |
There are many things that Saudi women are still unable to do without permission from the men in their lives. | There are many things that Saudi women are still unable to do without permission from the men in their lives. |
These things include, but are not limited to: | These things include, but are not limited to: |
These restrictions are down to Saudi Arabia's guardianship system, which has aligned the country with a strict form of Sunni Islam known as Wahhabism. | These restrictions are down to Saudi Arabia's guardianship system, which has aligned the country with a strict form of Sunni Islam known as Wahhabism. |
Under the system, every woman must have a male companion with her in public, usually a close family member, who has authority to act on her behalf in these circumstances. | Under the system, every woman must have a male companion with her in public, usually a close family member, who has authority to act on her behalf in these circumstances. |
This has helped create one of the most gender unequal countries in the Middle East. | This has helped create one of the most gender unequal countries in the Middle East. |
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