Saudi Arabian women file petition with over 14,500 signatures to end male guardianship

More than 14,500 women in Saudi Arabia have signed a petition calling for an end to the country’s male guardianship scheme.Saudi law states that all women must have a male guardian, typically a husband, father or brother, who gives them permission to study, travel abroad or marry. Leading women’s rights campaigner Aziza al-Yousef delivered the petition to the royal court on Monday.She told the BBC: “In every aspect, the important issue is to treat a woman as a full citizen.”