Saudi Arabia has a terrible record for gender equality, but there was a step in the right direction on Friday as women were allowed to attend a professional soccer match for the first time.
Organizing the first ever soccer match to allow Saudi women has been surreal!! pic.twitter.com/WELR9dvONH
— sarah algashgari (@SarahAlgash) January 12, 2018
Women were allowed in the match, between Al-Ahli and Al-Batin, as part of gender segregation reform by Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. Al-Ahli won 5-0.
Another match allowing women was held on Saturday, and another is scheduled for Thursday. The changes in policy in Saudi Arabia are not limited to football matches. Women are supposed to be allowed to drive cars later this year. Better late than never.