Saudi Arabia allows women to join the military

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 fathers were 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.