Saudi Arabia Graduates 250 Women Specialists Of Diplomatic Security, Hajj And Umrah

Saudi Arabian women during a demonstration of shooting abilities after passing training. (Twitter/@security_gov)

JAKARTA - More than 250 women in Saudi Arabia have successfully graduated from the Women's Training Institute specializing in diplomatic security and the country's Hajj and Umrah security.

The women are fourth-generation graduates who completed training at the institute, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said in a statement, citing Al Arabiya January 12.

Saudi Arabia in 2019 announced it would allow women in the Kingdom to serve in the armed forces. Then, the country first opened military recruitment for women in February 2022.

Women must be between the ages of 21 and 40. While men are between the ages of 17 and 40. Other provisions are the same, ranging from acceptance procedures to medical examinations, but do not require criminal records.

The first female recruit graduated from the Armed Forces Women's Cadre Training Center last September, for the first time in royal history, women will start serving on the front lines, citing The National News.

The change to allow women to join the military is part of the Vision of the Kingdom 2030, which seeks to reform almost every aspect of life and government.

Women can register to join the Saudi Arabian Army, Saudi Royal Air Defense, the Royal Saudi Navy, the Kingdom's Saudi Strategic Missile Forces, and Armed Forces Medical Services. In order to support everyday service, these women can have ranks ranging from soldiers to sergeants.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pushed for social and economic reforms, as part of a plan to modernize the conservative Muslim kingdom and attract foreign investment under a diversified push.

Major General Adel Al-Balawi, head of the Armed Forces Education and Training Agency in a graduation speech some time ago said the education center had an important mission, which focused on providing excellent training and curriculum programs and an ideal learning environment.

"This is in line with international quality standards that meet the needs of (female recruiters). It aims to improve overall performance, which will help achieve ministry goals in the future," he explained, citing Arab News.

📹 | تحت رعاية الأمير عبدالعزيز بن سعود.. تخريج الدورة التأهيلية للفرد الأساسي للمجندات الدفعة الرابعة بمعهد التدريب النسوي pic.twitter.com/RIGStnTCVE

— الأمن العام (@security_gov) January 11, 2023