Saudi prosecutor to hire women investigators

RIYADH: The Saudi public prosecutor’s office said yesterday it will recruit women as investigators for the first time, as the kingdom seeks to boost female employment under a reform plan for a post-oil era. “Vacancies are available in women’s positions on the staff of the public prosecution for the rank of lieutenant investigator,” the office announced in a statement relayed by the information ministry.

The announcement is in line with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s “Vision 2030” reform program that seeks to elevate women to nearly one-third of the workforce, up from about 22 percent now. Saudi Arabia’s passport department recently said it received 107,000 applications for 140 vacant positions for women at airports and border crossings. King Salman last year decreed that women would be allowed driving permits from June, a historic reform that could put not just millions of women behind the wheel but potentially many more into the workforce.

Saudi Arabia last month allowed women to enter a football stadium for the first time to watch a game. But women still face a number of restrictions. Under Saudi Arabia’s existing guardianship system, a male family member – normally the father, husband or brother – must grant permission for a woman’s study, travel and a host of other activities. – AFP