UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the lifting of a driving ban on women in Saudi Arabia and hoped that it will generate further new opportunities for women in the Gulf Kingdom.
A royal decree was issued in September announcing that the longstanding ban would end in June 2018.
At that time, Guterres and other senior UN officials said they saw the move as an important first step that could lead to increased participation of women in the job market, among other areas of public life.
Saudi Arabia ended the prohibition on women driving at midnight on June 24.
In a statement issued yesterday by his spokesperson, Guterres said he "hopes that this will generate further new opportunities for women in the Kingdom.
"The UN chief paid tribute to the women of Saudi Arabia for their efforts in achieving this important legal milestone, "which should contribute to women's economic and social mobility and the development of the country."
"He looks forward to witnessing Saudi Arabia's continuing journey toward substantive equality for women and girls," said the statement.