Saudi women to join national guards \'soon\'

Head of the Saudi National Guard Prince Mitaab Bin Abdullah said he will create a department within the organization to recruit female soldiers soon, according to a newspaper report. The Saudi newspaper, Okaz, quoted on Thursday Prince Abdullah saying that a new study had been submitted to recruit female soldiers in the Saudi National Guard. The conservative kingdom which until now bans women from driving automobiles is being seen as gradually including women in various sectors. Early 2012, the kingdom’s ministry of labor implemented a royal decree ordering that only women be employed as lingerie sales people. The decree was aimed at increasing the rate of Saudization and offer Saudi women more jobs. Last year, women in the kingdom were given the right to vote and run in the next municipal elections, expected in four years. They were also given the right to be appointed to the kingdom’s consultative Shura Council. Late 2010, Saudi Arabia’s passport directorate hired female civilians to check women’s identities and to help with services, both at a full time and part time basis. In 2009, King Abdullah attempted to modernize judiciary, armed forces, and various ministries. He also appointed the country’s first female deputy minister.