Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has announced a historic decision to end the requirement for women to wear the hijab or the black abaya, affirming that women have the full right to choose their attire without the need for a man’s approval.
This decision is part of ongoing social reforms in the Kingdom under Vision 2030, aimed at enhancing the status of women and expanding their rights across various sectors.
The Crown Prince indicated that this new step aligns with efforts to empower Saudi women and reinforce gender equality, following a series of reforms that included allowing women to drive, travel without the permission of a male guardian, and engage more actively in the workforce and public life.
Observers view this shift as a significant leap in modernizing Saudi society, granting women a broader scope of individual freedom and opening new avenues for their participation in culture, education, and the economy.
The announcement is also considered a strategic move to enhance the Kingdom’s international image as a nation striving to balance its social traditions with the demands of modernization and openness.
