Saudi Arabian women are now allowed to join the armed forces in the Kingdom after a new ruling was declared.

The Saudi Ministry of Defence confirmed that both males and females would now be allowed to apply for positions in the military.

Women are able to join the ranks as soldiers, lance corporals, corporals, sergeants, and staff sergeants in the Saudi Arabian Army, Royal Saudi Air Defence, Royal Saudi Navy, Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force and Armed Forces Medical Services.

The criteria for women applying to the military in Saudi states that they must be between 21 and 40 years of age, as well as being at least 155 centimetres or above.

Furthermore, they cannot already be a government employee, have obtained their high school certificate and have an independent national identity card.

Those who are wishing to join the army can also not be married to a man who is of non-Saudi citizenship.

Meanwhile, men applying need to be the ages of 17 and 40 and be at least 160 centimetres tall.

Both men and women must have a clean record, pass admission procedures and be able to prove they are medically fit.

Changes for women in Saudi Arabia

Changes for women in the Kingdom are a major focus in the Vision 2030 scheme, which is being spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Just three months after he stepped into the role in 2017, the Crown Prince unveiled in a royal decree that women would be able to secure driving licenses from June 2018.

Then, in March 2018, it was announced by the Ministry of Justice that women who are divorced in the country would be able to instantly retain custody of their children.

Under his plans, women are now also able to attend sports events in stadiums in three cities, female students in the Kingdom are now allowed to carry their phones while on campus and as of August 2019, women aged over 21 are now allowed to travel independently.

Last year alone, there were many notable history-making moments and appointments in Saudi Arabia paving the way for women.

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Feature Image: Visit Saudi Instagram