Thousands of Saudis have signed an online petition calling for the government to abolish the country’s guardianship system, which prevents women from engaging in fundamental tasks without the permission of a male relative. Yousef and other prominent activists started holding workshops and performing studies on the religious validity of the guardianship system five years ago. On the two days leading up to the petition, an estimated 2,500 women sent direct telegrams to the Saudi King’s office imploring him to end the guardianship system. However, the guardianship system runs counter to that, as some employers require women to submit permission from their guardians. Aldosari said that many more clerics came out after the 26 October 2013 movement, where Saudi women pushed for the right to drive.

Source: The Guardian September 26, 2016 21:57 UTC