Saudi Arabia now requires courts to send women a text message when their husbands are granted a divorce, ensuring they receive alimony and custody rights. The government has also eased custody laws and allowed women to drive, participate in sports, start businesses, and join the military.
Imagine getting a divorce and not knowing it. Prior to 2019, this sort of covert legal ploy happened from time to time in Saudi Arabia. In January, however, the country’s justice ministry ruled that women must receive a text message when a court grants a husband a divorce. The new regulation, the ministry said, “ensures that women get their rights (alimony) when they are divorced.” In the past in the male-dominated Kingdom, men secretly divorced their wives to avoid paying alimony, a move that allowed them to control the financial situation of their ex-wives and deprive them of custody rights. It also prevented them from remarrying.
The situation in Saudi Arabia:
Court-ordered texts will give ex-wives a certificate number and information about where they can access the documents. A website will also give women a way to check their marital status.
In 2018, the Saudi government slightly eased custody laws for women. They no longer have to petition – a process that often took years – to gain custody of their children. Now it’s automatic, unless there’s a dispute between the parents.
The Kingdom also allowed women to drive, participate in sporting events, start businesses, and join the military. While these may seem like basic rights, they are significant changes in Saudi society.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
