Saudi Arabia To Give Women Right To Possess Copy Of Marriage Contract

Saudi Arabia is to give brides a copy of their marriage contracts for the first time in a bid to boost the rights of women, the country’s justice ministry has announced.

Justice Minister Walid al-Samaani has ordered that clerics in the ultra-conservative country must now provide brides with a copy of the marriage contract when they register a marriage.

The move is to “ensure her awareness of her rights and the terms of the contact.” The justice ministry announced the order in a statement published by the Saudi state news agency SPA.

The handing of marriage contracts had only been permitted for men previously but the change seeks to “protect the rights of the woman and to facilitate procedures for her,” the ministry said.