Saudi arabia outlaws sexual harassment
That's a significant development! In 2019, Saudi Arabia's Cabinet approved a law that criminalizes sexual harassment, making it punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 300,000 Saudi riyals (approximately $80,000).
The law, which came into effect in June 2019, defines sexual harassment as "any unwanted or unwarranted physical contact, verbal or non-verbal behavior, or any other act that is intended to offend or humiliate a person's dignity, including but not limited to, touching, patting, pinching, or any other form of physical contact."
The law also establishes a number of measures to prevent and address sexual harassment, including:
- The creation of a national committee to combat sexual harassment, which will be responsible for investigating complaints and taking action against perpetrators.
- The establishment of a hotline for reporting sexual harassment incidents.
- The requirement that all government agencies and private companies have policies and procedures in place to prevent and address sexual harassment.
- The provision of training and awareness programs to educate employees and the public about the law and the consequences of sexual harassment.
This law is a significant step forward for women's rights and gender equality in Saudi Arabia, where women have historically faced significant restrictions and discrimination. The law is also seen as a key part of the country's efforts to modernize and reform its laws and social norms.
It's worth noting that while this law is a major step forward, there is still much work to be done to address the widespread problem of sexual harassment in Saudi Arabia. Many women and girls continue to face harassment and discrimination in their daily lives, and the law will need to be effectively enforced and implemented to bring about meaningful change.