14,000 Sign Petition to End Male Guardianship in Saudi Arabia

''In a startling reminder of why it’s so important to vote and engage in civil society, a petition to end male guardianship rose out of Saudi Arabia Monday and thousands of women signed on.

Currently, in order to travel (and in compete in the Olympics), marry, start a bank account, exit prison, access healthcare, and other tasks critical to civil rights, women are required by law to be accompanied by a male relative.

The law makes things like voting difficult, since a woman needs the permission of her male guardian and to secure a ride to the poll station — as women are not permitted to drive in the country...''

by Meghan Werft