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Saudi Arabia has for the first time opened applications for women to join its military.

Women have until Thursday to apply for positions with the rank of soldier in the provinces of Riyadh, Mecca, al-Qassim and Medina.

The roles do not appear to involve combat, but will instead give women the opportunity to work in security.

A list of 12 requirements says hopefuls must be Saudi citizens, aged between 25 and 35, and have a high-school diploma.

The women and their male guardians - usually a husband, father, brother or son - must also have a place of residence in the same province as the job's location.

The decision to recruit female soldiers is one of many reforms enhancing women's rights introduced in recent months in the conservative Muslim kingdom.

King Salman has decreed that women will be permitted to drive from June, while women spectators were allowed to attend football matches from last month.

However, human rights activists say Saudi Arabia's discriminatory male guardianship system remains intact despite government pledges to abolish it.

Under the system, adult women must obtain permission to travel, marry or leave prison. They may be required to provide consent to work or access healthcare.

Women are also separated from unrelated men and must wear full-length robes known as "abayas" in public, as well as headscarves if they are Muslims.</s>For the first time in its history, leaders in the conservative kingdom of Saudi Arabia will allow women to join the country's military. According to a swath of reports from the region's media, the announcement was made last week, and women will have until Thursday, March 1 to submit their applications. Those who move forward will be interviewed and tested.

The decision to allow female recruits comes as the Saudi King, broadly known in the West as "King Salman," has moved toward modernizing the hyper-traditional state. Opening military applications to women has largely been characterized as part of Salman's Vision 2030 plan, which aims to reduce the country's dependence on oil and diversify the economy. Part of this has included increased attention toward expanding women's rights.

The BBC reports that interested women will be allowed to apply for security roles, which are not combat positions. They will also be required to meet twelve stipulations.

Among these requirements is that applicants must be between the ages of 25 and 35 and be at least five feet tall. They must not be married to a non-Saudi and also must hold a high school diploma.

While opening military applications to women appears to signify a shift toward more female independence, one stipulation also requires that the applicants and their male guardians must live in the same region where the job takes place. Male guardians are usually a woman's husband, brother, father, or son.

Under the guardianship program, women must gain permission in order to travel abroad, get a passport, marry, or leave prison. Guardians may also be required to provide permission to work or access healthcare services. According to Human Rights Watch, the Saudi government has previously promised to end the male guardianship program, but it is still in place. In a 2018 report, the human rights advocacy research group described the guardianship program as "discriminatory."

Back in 2016, thousands of Saudis signed an online petition demanding that the guardianship rules come to an end. Specifically, opponents to the guardianship program argue that it demotes women to second-class citizens because they are not allowed to function within society — or the economy — as fully legal adults.

Additionally, the King's Vision 2030 plan includes the goal of increasing women's participation in the workforce to 30 percent. Requiring that would-be women workers acquire permission obtain jobs runs counter to the vision's longterm plans.

Twice the Saudi government has promised to end the program — in 2009 and then in 2013. But instead of abolishing wholesale what is effectively legalized paternalism, Saudi leaders have opted to take baby steps. In September of 2017, for example, officials announced that they would begin letting women legally drive, starting in June of 2018. As of the announcement, the kingdom was the only country in the world to unilaterally forbid women from obtaining drivers licenses.

By and large, the Gulf Kingdom was praised for its decision, which the international community described as progress in the right direction. United Nations Secretary General António Guterres praised the announcement in a tweet.

"I welcome Saudi Arabia's decision to lift the ban on women drivers. An important step in the right direction," he wrote.

Women have struggled to gain equality in Saudi Arabia largely because the laws and traditions there enforce Wahhabism, an extremely strict version of Sunni Islam that has historically been used to justify gender-based restrictions. In public, for example, women in the Gulf country are required to wear an abaya — a long cloak — as well as, generally, a headscarf. While modest dress is encouraged within Islam, Saudi Arabia is one of few places in the world to legally require it. Earlier this month, a local cleric declared that the abaya should not be required, though whether the government will remove the legal enforcement is yet unclear.</s>Saudi Arabia is slowly opening paving way for women’s empowerment. After declaring that a woman would no longer be needing the permission of a legal guardian to get a driver’s license, which will be effective from June 2018, women In Saudi Arabia can now join the military.

This is for the first time that it has opened applications for women to join the military. The initiative has been reportedly undertaken as a part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme which was launched by Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman.

However, women’s roles will not involve combat, but they will instead get the opportunity to work in security. Applications from Saudi women to work in the military in the rank of soldiers are being accepted for positions available in Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Qassim, Asir, Al-Baha and the Eastern Province. Candidates can apply online until Thursday, March 1.

There are twelve requirements to be met to be a part of the force. A few of them are:

Applicants must be of Saudi origin, and raised in the Kingdom unless their father had to live abroad on a government assignment.

Candidates must also be aged between 25 and 35, be above 155 centimeters tall with a good weight to height ratio, and have at least a high school diploma.

In addition to these requirements, the applicant must pass a mandatory medical check-up and go through personal interviews to ensure good conduct.

Women married to non-Saudis are precluded from applying as is anyone with a criminal record or who have previously been employed in any government or military-related institution.

Applicants should also have independent national identification cards, and live in the same area as their job’s location. Their guardians’ job must also be in the same area.</s>The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will now allow women to apply for military service in a historic move. The decision comes as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 social program launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

Women in governorates including Riyadh, Makkah, al-Qusaim, and al Madina can apply for the rank of soldier, Saudi’s General Security division announced in a statement Sunday. Prince Mohammad launched the Vision 2030 initiative to wean the country off its major dependence on oil revenues while also diversifying its economy, which includes expanding economic opportunities for women.

In order to become a soldier, however, a woman must fulfil 12 conditions, including: being of Saudi origin, raised in the Kingdom, unless her father had to live abroad because of a ‘government-related responsibility.’ In addition, applicants must be 25 to 35 years of age, hold at least a high school education, and must pass a mandatory medical check up.

Women married to non-Saudis are precluded from applying as is anyone with a criminal record or who was previously employed in any government or military-related institution. An applicant’s height must also not be less than 155 centimeters, with a good weight to height ratio.

Earlier this month, Eqbal Darandari, a member of the Saudi Shoura Council, called for the conscription of women for a period of at least three months to a year adding that all citizens should be ready to serve their country, reports Al Arabiya.

As part of the sweeping reforms, women are now also able to apply for jobs with the traffic police and air traffic control. When Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports announced 140 jobs open to women, over 107,000 women applied. Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor’s office announced earlier this month that it would begin recruiting women investigators.

The Kingdom has witnessed a number of firsts in recent months. Just this week, the General Entertainment Authority announced plans for the construction of the country’s first opera house.

If you like this story, share it with a friend!</s>For the first time in Saudi Arabia’s history, the country has opened applications for women to join its military. The women, however, will not be given combat roles but will work in security.

The decision is a part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 social programme and was announced by the General Directorate of Public Security. Interested women have till Thursday to apply for positions in Riyadh, Mecca, Medina and Al-Qusaim, the Saudi Gazette reported on Monday.

To apply, the women need to fulfil 12 requirements besides obtaining their guardian’s approval. They must be Saudi citizens, be aged between 25 and 35, have at least a high school diploma, and must have grown up in the country, unless their father was posted abroad on a government job.

Women married to foreigners and those who either have a criminal record or have worked previously in a government or military organisation cannot apply. The applicant and her male guardian – usually a husband, father, brother or son – must also have a residence in the same area as the job’s location.

Saudi Arabia is infamous for its rules against women. The World Economic Forum in 2016 had ranked the kingdom 141st out of 144 on gender parity.

In October 2017, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had vowed to focus on eradicating extremism within his kingdom and a return to “moderate Islam”. He said the country was “not like this in the past”. “We will eradicate the remnants of extremism very soon,” he had promised. “We represent the moderate teachings and principles of Islam.”

Ever since, he has been easing restrictions on Saudi women. In January, the country allowed women to enter a football stadium for the first time to watch a game. In September 2017, it was announced that women will be allowed to drive from June 2018.</s>RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has for the very first time opened applications for women to enlist in the military as the kingdom continues to enact reforms granting females more access to a wide range of previously forbidden careers.

According to authorities on Monday, interested candidates have until Thursday to apply for positions with the rank of soldier in the provinces of Riyadh, Mecca, al-Qassim and Medina, reports Xinhua news agency.

A list of requirements says applicants must be Saudi citizens and aged between 25 to 35 with a high school diploma.

Under Saudi Arabia`s guardianship system, women who apply to join the army must also have a place of residence in the same provinces as the job`s location with their male guardians, usually husband, father, brother or son.

The recruitment of female soldiers is one of many reforms enhancing women`s rights introduced in recent months.

The country announced its plan to allow women to drive from June this year, and ride-hailing apps were getting prepared to hire female drivers.

Furthermore, Saudi women last month were given permission to attend football matches and to open their own businesses without the consent of their male relatives.

Saudi Arabia`s public prosecutor`s office said it would also begin recruiting women investigators for the first time.

The kingdom has also opened 140 positions for women at airports and border crossings, a historic first that the government said drew 107,000 female applicants.</s>Women in Saudi Arabia are now permitted to enlist in the army as the kingdom continues to enact reforms granting females more access to a wide range of previously forbidden careers.

Women are now able to apply for positions with the rank of soldier in the provinces of Riyadh, Mecca, al-Qassim and Medina.

SEE ALSO: [VIDEO] Saudis rejoice as opera comes to Riyadh for the first time

A list of requirements says applicants must be Saudi citizens and aged between 25 and 35 with a high school diploma.

Under Saudi Arabia’s guardianship system, women who apply to join the army must also have a place of residence in the same provinces as the job’s location with their male guardians, usually husband, father, brother or son.

The recruitment of female soldiers is one of many reforms enhancing women’s rights introduced in recent months in the kingdom.

The country announced its plan to allow women to drive from June, and ride-hailing apps are getting prepared to hire female drivers.

Furthermore, Saudi women in January were given permission to attend football matches and to open their own businesses without the consents of their male relatives.

Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor’s office said this month it would also begin recruiting women investigators for the first time.

The kingdom has also opened 140 positions for women at airports and border crossings, a historic first that the government said drew 107,000 female applicants.

However, human rights activists say Saudi Arabia’s discriminatory male guardianship system remains intact in spite of government pledges to abolish it. (Xinhua/NAN)</s>Saudi women sit in a stadium for the first time to attend an event in the capital Riyadh on September 23, 2017 after an effective ban on women in sports arenas ended. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
• Saudi Arabia's military has opened its applications to women for the first time, marking another major step towards enhancing women's rights in a deeply patriarchal society.
• Successful candidates must meet 12 requirements, which include residing with a male guardian in the same province as the job's location and, if married, having a Saudi husband.
• While the new positions signal a continued shift towards increasing women's rights, some of the job requirements reinforce a male-oriented system.

Saudi Arabia's military has opened applications to women for the first time, marking a major step towards improving women's rights in a deeply patriarchal country.

The interior ministry posted on its jobs portal that it would accept applications for women's military posts in the provinces of Riyadh, Mecca, al-Qassim, and Medina until March 1.

But — as well as passing a test and personal interview with a female employee — the application outlines 12 requirements, successful candidates must meet.

Women must be of Saudi origin and, for the most part, have grown up in Saudi Arabia. Applicants must be between the ages of 25 and 35, have at least a high school diploma, be at least 155 centimeters (5 feet) tall, and have a good height-to-weight ratio.

Most notably, women must not be married to a non-Saudi and must reside with her guardian in the same province as the job's location.

In Saudi Arabia every women must have a male guardian — a father, brother, husband, or even son — who has the authority to make decisions on her behalf. A guardian's approval is needed for women to obtain a passport, travel outside the country, get married, or leave prison.

While the new positions signal a continued shift towards improving women's rights in the kingdom, many of the job's requirements reinforce rules created by Saudi Arabia's male-oriented system.

In April 2017, King Salman ordered all agencies to abolish unofficial guardianship requirements, meaning women who didn't have a male guardian's consent couldn't be denied access to government services unless existing regulations required it.

And while Saudi women have recently been granted the right to drive and attend soccer matches, a male guardianship system remains in place.

Giving women the right to drive suggested authorities might review and potentially eliminate some of the restrictive guardianship laws. However, the system remains in place, despite government pledges to abolish it.

On Monday, Tamadur bint Youssef al-Ramah was appointed as deputy labor minister, a rare senior post for a woman in Saudi Arabia.

Increasing the number of Saudi women in the workforce is part of the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's Vision 2030 reforms, which seek to to raise women's participation in the workforce from 22% to 30%.</s>The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will now allow women to apply for military service in a historic move. The decision comes as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 social program launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

Women in governorates including Riyadh, Makkah, al-Qusaim, and al Madina can apply for the rank of soldier, Saudi’s General Security division announced in a statement Sunday.

Prince Mohammad launched the Vision 2030 initiative to wean the country off its major dependence on oil revenues while also diversifying its economy, which includes expanding economic opportunities for women.

Women married to non-Saudis are precluded from applying as is anyone with a criminal record or who was previously employed in any government or military-related institution. An applicant’s height must also not be less than 155 centimeters, with a good weight to height ratio.

Earlier this month, Eqbal Darandari, a member of the Saudi Shoura Council, called for the conscription of women for a period of at least three months to a year adding that all citizens should be ready to serve their country, reports Al Arabiya.

As part of the sweeping reforms, women are now also able to apply for jobs with the traffic police and air traffic control. When Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports announced 140 jobs open to women, over 107,000 women applied. Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor’s office announced earlier this month that it would begin recruiting women investigators.

The Kingdom has witnessed a number of firsts in recent months. Just this week, the General Entertainment Authority announced plans for the construction of the country’s first opera house.</s>Shoshana is a Verdict reporter covering global business, economics, and finance. She can be reached at shoshana.kedem@verdict.co.uk

For the first time in history, Saudi women can now join the military in security and non-combat roles.

Women in Saudi Arabia can now join the army in key cities including the capital Riyadh, and holy sites Mecca and al-Madina, if they meet 12 criteria, officials at the General Directorate of Public Security announced on Monday.

Only women aged 25-35 of Saudi origin who grew up in the Kingdom can apply said the statement, carried by Saudi Press Agency.

Applicants must also be at least 5ft (155cm) tall and “have a good weight to height ratio”, and a minimum of high school level education, state-run Saudi newspaper Saudi Gazette reported.

Female recruits must not be married to non-Saudis, must have a clean criminal record, and can have no prior experience working in any government or military institution. They must also be registered in the area which they apply for deployment.

The recruitment drive is part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic diversification program designed to steer the national economy away from dwindling oil revenues in the age of cheap oil, by enlisting previously excluded members of society into the economy.

In another first, the Saudi General Directorate of Passports said in early February that 107,000 female applicants had applied for 140 jobs advertised for women at airports and border crossings in the Kingdom.

As part of efforts to lift restrictions on women, a ban on women obtaining driving licenses was lifted in September 2017, while women were also permitted to attend football matches for the first time in January.

Saudi Arabia also lifted a ban on commercial cinemas that has lasted more than three decades in December.

Under Saudi Arabia’s guardianship system, women still require consent of a male guardian, typically a father, brother, uncle or husband, to undertake any major activity such as travelling, obtaining a passport, getting married or divorced or signing contracts.

In a royal decree issued in May 2017 by Saudi Arabia’s ageing monarch King Salman, women were granted the right to apply for university, take a job and undergo surgery without obtaining permission from a guardian.
Saudi Arabia opens applications for women to join its armed forces for the first time.