Feminizing the Legal Profession in Saudi Arabia

• In Event: 3183 - Section on Global and Transnational Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 11. Middle East and North Africa

Abstract

Over the past 5 years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (“KSA”) has witnessed dramatic changes in terms of gender relations. More specifically, in 2014 Saudi women lawyers were granted the permission to represent clients in Courts with the exclusion of Criminal Courts. Furthermore, in 2015 Saudi women were allowed to vote in the local elections and be appointed to the Consultative Assembly. In addition, in September of 2017 King Salman passed a royal decree to the effect that Saudi women would be allowed to drive from June of 2018. These remarkable changes are the outcome of a long struggle fought by Saudi women and men that is pushing for and increasing modernization of one of the most conservative states in the World.

Author

• Anita C. Butera, Canisius College