Saudi Arabia now allows women join the military

Saudi Arabia has for the first time, allow women to sign up for military service. 

The decision, which comes as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 social programme was announced by the General Directorate of Public Security.

Interested applicants from Riyadh, Makkah, Al-Qusaim and Madina can apply through the government’s electronic portal this week and have until Thursday to apply for positions with the rank of soldier, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted the directorate as saying in a statement on Monday.

The women and their male guardians - usually a husband, father, brother or son - must also have a place of residence in the same province as the job's location.

Candidates must fulfill 12 requirements in order to be accepted, including being Saudi nationals who were raised in the Kingdom, unless their fathers had to live abroad because of a “government-related duties”.

They also must be between 25-35 years old, hold at least a high school diploma, and must pass a mandatory medical check-up. In addition, they must also be taller than 155 centimetres, with a suitable weight to height ratio.

Women married to non-Saudis, those who have a criminal record, and those with previous government employment history cannot apply.