Women in Saudi Arabia still continue to be subjected to male guardianship laws. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Starting from Sunday, courts in Saudi Arabia will be required to inform women by text on decisions confirming their divorces, BBC reported.
Local female lawyers suggest the ruling will end what are called secret divorces, where men divorce their wives without telling them.
The new law will ensure women are fully aware of their marital status and can secure their rights at the time of alimony.
In a first, women in Saudi Arabia start getting driving licence
Last year, Saudi Arabia in a historic move lifted a decades-old driving ban on women.
Nevertheless, women will continue to be under male guardianship laws.
Saudi lawyer Nisreen al-Ghamdi told Bloomberg, "The new measure ensures women get their [alimony] rights when they're divorced," further adding, "It also ensures that any powers of attorney issued before the divorce are not misused."
Another female lawyer Samia al-Hindi, while speaking to local newspaper Okaz said, "Many women have filed appeals to courts over being divorced without their knowledge."
Finally, Saudi Arabia lifts ban on women driving
The new measure is said to be part of sweeping reforms driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, such as permitting women to drive, attend football matches and work at jobs previously occupied by men.
Despite the new ruling, Saudi women are still unable to do many things such apply for passports, travel abroad, get married and open a bank account without approval from a male guardian, who customarily is her husband, father, brother or son.
The guardianship system has lead to Saudi Arabia considered as one of the most gender-unequal countries in the Middle East.
This article originally appeared on BBC.
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