Seven cruel laws against women in Saudi Arabia

New Delhi: Saudi Arabian women face several restrictions based entirely on gender. Being an Islamic kingdom, the laws are based on Sharia. With Sarrah Atttar becoming the first Saudi Arab woman to participate in Olympics, the country passed a legislation on legal ban on domestic violence, but these are some baby steps towards improvement in the legal rights for women in the country.However, the situation still remains grim. Let us take a look at some of the worst laws for women in Saudi Arabia:1. Male guardianship In Saudi Arabia a woman's life is not her own. Till she is not married, she must have a guardian like a father, uncle or brother.A woman's access to justice is also restricted for she cannot file a case or even be heard in court without a legal guardian. 2. Child marriage In April 2013, Saudi Arabia passed a law increasing the marital age for women to 16 years. The country is faced with the grave problems like child marriage. Fathers sell their young daughters to a rich old man for dowry.However, the law has loopholes like there's provision which allows the father to override the law under certain circumstances. 3. Rape laws Spousal rape is not considered an offense in the country. In 2007, a Saudi court sentenced a gang-rape victim to six months imprisonment and 200 lashes. Initially, she had been sentenced to 90 lashes for being in a car of a man who was not a relative and flouting the rigid laws on segregation of sexes.Women are not allowed to speak in court. They must accompany a male counterpart when in court. 4. Purpose of educating girl child is to be a successful mother and wife According to the Saudi official policy, the purpose of educating a girl is to bring her up in a proper Islamic way so as to perform her duty in life, be an ideal and successful housewife and a good mother, ready to do things which suit her nature such as teaching, nursing and medical treatment. 5. Minimal hiring of women While the Saudi government spends billions on education its women, but the conservative society is still not open to women at workplaces.Around 57 per cent of Saudi women have university degrees.78 per cent of female university graduates and 60 per cent with Phd degrees are unemployed. 6. Driving is prohibited for women Saudi women still depend on private drivers or male guardians to move around in the country.Driving is prohibited for women in Saudi Arabia. 7. Saudi girls are banned from playing sports Saudi girls are banned from playing sports in schools and are denied access to sports facilities, including gyms and swimming pools.The two girl who participated for 2012 summer Olympics were sent after intense pressure from the International Olympics Committee to end Saudi Arabia's practice of sending only male teams to the games. There event was not even telecasted in Saudi Arabia.