ABHA: Many Saudi women have confirmed that their Saudi identification protects them when it comes to various documents and government applications.

Specialists called for having an ID for women or activating the fingerprint system for families that refuse to allow the woman’s photo. This will prevent acts that might occur because of the women’s having no ID.

Legal counsel Hadi Al-Yami said that the country did not oblige women to have a “national ID.” He referred to exploitation by some men who encroach on women’s property, and exploit them in business transactions, inheritance, or impersonate her in family and legal matters.

He stressed that the issuance of women’s IDs are optional except in certain cases — for example if she is a university student, a scholarship student, if she wants to get a loan, and for those who want to file a complaint.

He expressed his regret that more than 80 percent of women are ignorant of their legal rights.

He stressed that fingerprinting could save many families from social embarrassment as it is more accurate and safer and avoids the possibility of fraud.

As for protecting women from exploitation and extortion, he suggested continuing to grant women a national ID and called for the employment of women in women’s civil service departments in order to facilitate the procedure for issuing national identity.

Saud Al-Dhahian, sociology professor, looked at men’s rejection of women as a form of male power, misogyny and exploitation of women.

He stated that the issuance of a national ID for women would bring equality for them.

Al-Dhahian advocated the need for women’s courts that deal with women’s issues, and all situations relating to women.

He also proposed the establishment of family care offices in which the office would have the authority to transact women’s business, such as buying land.

“In case the father or husband refuses to allow an ID for for the woman,the judiciary may order him to do so and if needed, the judge becomes the woman’s guardian and follows up the completion of her own procedures,” Al-Dhahian said.