Our World - Saudi Arabia Progress - Fitting Rooms!

Lots of change has happened in the kingdom over the past 5 years, especially regarding women. Women started driving the summer of 2018.  Women are working in practically every sector now, not just in education or medical fields. There are movie theaters and a lot less gender segregation than before.

AND - many shops now have changing rooms for women to try on clothes before purchasing them!  Before, many shops had a three day return policy and with women not being allowed to drive,  it was a real pain in the a$$ - especially if the garment needed to be returned. So dressing rooms are a welcome change here in the kingdom - and a sign of real progress.

Be sure to visit OUR WORLD TUESDAY, where family-friendly bloggers share a unique glimpse into what life is like all around our ever-amazing planet.

Jeddah Progress - Mannequins with Heads!

If you've read my blog for a while, you know that I have highlighted the existence of headless mannequins in Saudi Arabia for quite some time.  Well, times are changin'!!!

Women are driving! Movie theaters have arrived! Women are working in all sectors! The country has opened up for tourism! And mannequins in Saudi Arabia have been reunited with their heads now!

The rapid changes happening have been most welcome and almost mind boggling.  I never quite understood many of the restrictions before, although I tried to make sense of it all.  All this amazing change is rather a relief actually... big sigh!

Popular Saudi King

King Abdullah has been a very popular, respected, fair and beloved king of Saudi Arabia.   He is 88 years old now and became the 6th king of Saudi Arabia in 2005.  For the ten years prior to that, he was in fact the de facto ruler of the kingdom when he assumed the position after ruling King Fahd (his half brother) suffered a debilitating stroke.  He has served his country all his life and his first official public appointment was as Mayor of Makkah in 1961.  An official title of the king is "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques."

While the rest of the world may view social progress in the kingdom as extraordinarily slow, King Abdullah is known as a champion of women's rights.  I have been quite amazed at the progress just in the short time I have lived here since 2007.  Despite health concerns and amid false reports of his death, the king persists in his goal to give women the opportunities they have long been denied in this society. 

King Abdullah's photo can be seen in this country everywhere - on buildings, businesses, billboards, and vehicles.