Women in Saudi Arabia are now able to perform important legal tasks.

They’ve finally been granted the right to drive, and now Saudi women have landed another first. The Ministry of Justice has granted 12 women “verification” licenses, which will allow them to become notaries for the first time in history.

What is a notary? It’s an official who is licensed by the government to witness document signings and verify a person’s identity, among other important tasks.

The Ministry of Justice said the female notaries can issue and cancel powers of attorney, and certify documents to help establish companies or transfer property rights.

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“Since this is the first time women pursue and accept this profession, we are excited about this new challenge and willing to show our hard work and commitment,” one of the licensed women told Al Arabiya English.

“We are the first to join this busy profession, but we expect many women to join us soon.”

The 12 women join more than 1,300 male notaries in Saudi Arabia.

The reform comes as part of the kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030, a post-oil economy plan. The government aims to increase the percentage of women in the nation’s workforce from 23 per cent to 28 per cent by 2020.

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Image: Getty