Saudi Arabia to allow women into sports stadiums

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will allow women to attend sports events in stadiums for the first time from next year, a part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's major drive to modernise the Saudi society and boost economy, the media reported.

Families will be able to enter the stadiums in three major cities - Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, reports the BBC.

It is another move towards giving more freedom to Saudi women, who face strict gender segregation rules, and follows the historic lifting of a driving ban.

Saudi Arabia's sports authority said that preparations would start in the three stadiums so they can be "ready to accommodate families from early 2018".

Restaurants, cafes and monitor screens would be set up inside the stadiums as part of the changes, it added.

Up until now, the venues have been men-only areas, the BBC reported.

The reforms are in line with a wide-ranging plan announced by 32-year-old Prince Mohammed to bring social and economic change known as Vision 2030.

Last month, a royal decree said that women would be allowed to drive for the first time from next June.

Concerts are once again being held and cinemas are expected to return soon.

Last week, the Prince said that the return of a "moderate Islam" was key to his plans to modernise the country.

Despite the recent announcements, women still face severe restrictions in the country, which enforces a strict form of Sunni Islam known as Wahhabism.

Women have to adhere to strict dress codes and must not associate with unrelated men. If they want to travel, work or access healthcare they must be accompanied by or receive written permission from a male guardian.