Saudi women to get new ID cards for GCC travel

By Neeraj Gangal
  • Saturday, 3 April 2010 10:53 AM
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Starting from Saturday, Saudi women can get a national ID card that can be used to travel to countries of the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) according to a report.

According to the Arab News daily, women don't need a male guardian to apply. However, despite the new offer from the Kingdom’s Department of Civil Affairs women will still require permission from their male guardians to travel abroad.

"This step will add some self-esteem to Saudi women that will help them ease their movement in the region, especially for businesswomen who travel a lot," Lama Al-Sulaiman, deputy chairwoman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the Saudi-based daily.

According to Arab News, the new high-tech cards will include GPS tracking, fingerprints and features that will make them difficult to forge.

The ID card, which is optional, has been seen as another step toward women's empowerment in the Saudi Kingdom.

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Please post responsibly. Commenter Rules

Posted by: A Jibali Tuesday, 8 June 2010 9:21 PM[UAE]

there is no GPS tracking. for one thing it can't be done...yet. for another it would put people off getting the card which is counter productive. the problem is with your sourec, "arabnews" which is basically a rag.

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Posted by: Ritta Sunday, 4 April 2010 10:24 AM[UAE]

Finally ! such step is being taken ! you cannot believe how hard it is to get the guardian, whether a father (who can be busy at work or even abroad or even an old man) to come everytime a lady wants to travel. Keep it up for women empowerment !

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Posted by: mk Sunday, 4 April 2010 9:52 AM[UAE] - UAE

GPS tracking???? Why???

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