Abuse women physically or emotionally in Saudi Arabia & face fine and jail sentence

A fine of up to 50,000 riyals and one-year imprisonment for those who physically and psychologically abuse women in Saudi Arabia, the Public Prosecution warned.

'Anyone found guilty of abusing women physically or emotionally will face a fine of up to 50,000 riyals and a jail sentence to up one year,' the Public Prosecution said in a statement posted on its twitter account. According to local media, these penalties will make anyone thinks twice before daring to abuse his wife, sister or any female relatives. The move comes as part of ongoing Saudi efforts to eliminate violence against women, and as part of the Kingdom’s reforms that give women more rights and freedoms. Saudi women are gaining more rights and freedoms since Prince Mohammed Bin Salman took office as Crown Prince in 2017. In line with the Saudi Vision 2030 led by Mohammed Bin Salman, women were granted permissions to work, drive and travel and fully engage in all aspects of life, most notably the relaxing of the guardianship law that allows women to travel without male guardian’s consent.