DUBAI: Rights campaigners on Thursday welcomed an “overdue” reform in Saudi Arabia to allow girls to take part in sports at state schools.
The Education Ministry on Tuesday said state schools for girls would offer physical education from the next academic year providing they had the facilities.
This reform is absolutely crucial for Saudi girls, said Human Rights Watch’s Minky Worden. She added that this important step forward can advance human rights and health for women.
The ministry said introducing sport classes in girls schools come as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for economic and social reforms. Last year, Saudi Arabia appointed a princess to oversee women’s sports in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia was represented by four female athletes at the 2016 Olympics.
A Saudi school introduced sports for girls in 2014, after the Shoura Council (consultative body) recommended the ban on women in sports be scrapped.
The Education Ministry on Tuesday said state schools for girls would offer physical education from the next academic year providing they had the facilities.
This reform is absolutely crucial for Saudi girls, said Human Rights Watch’s Minky Worden. She added that this important step forward can advance human rights and health for women.
The ministry said introducing sport classes in girls schools come as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for economic and social reforms. Last year, Saudi Arabia appointed a princess to oversee women’s sports in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia was represented by four female athletes at the 2016 Olympics.
A Saudi school introduced sports for girls in 2014, after the Shoura Council (consultative body) recommended the ban on women in sports be scrapped.
