Saudi women no longer require a permission from a “male guardian” to travel or obtain a passport and can now travel independently, a royal decree signed by King Salman bin Abdulaziz indicated,

The decree, which was issued three days ago, clearly states that women like any other individual have the right of obtaining a passport, and that a guardian’s approval will only be needed for minors.

The statement of the decree is written in a gender-neutral way and doesn’t in any way put restrictions to a specific segment.

Here’s how some of the prominent Saudi figures reacted to the change, and their thoughts about it that was shared on twitter.

It is 1 am in #NYC
And I can't sleep.

The changes that occurred today in setting سن الرشد the age of adulthood for women and men at 21 is so much more than lifting the travel permission.

It signals full equality in the eye of the law. It signals what modern Sharia is capable of

— Muna AbuSulayman منى (@abusulayman) August 2, 2019

Also hailing the changes is of course Saudi ambassador to the US Reema bint Bandar Al Saud.

I am elated to confirm that KSA will be enacting amendments to its labor and civil laws that are designed to elevate the status of Saudi women within our society, including granting them the right to apply for passports and travel independently. 1/4

— Reema Bandar Al-Saud (@rbalsaud) August 2, 2019

Ever since the Saudi Vision 2030 was launched and the Saudi authorities have been addressing the flaws in the system that stand against women living their lives freely and securely.

Such a step is considered to be yet another major change, that follows the issuing of driving licenses to women, and the inclusion of women in the consultative council.

These new regulations are history in the making. They call for the equal engagement of women and men in our society. It is a holistic approach to gender equality that will unquestionably create real change for Saudi women. 3/4

— Reema Bandar Al-Saud (@rbalsaud) August 2, 2019