Women Take Part in Saudi National Day Military Parade for First Time

For the first time in Saudi Arabia's history, women marched in the annual National Day military parade on Thursday.

In honour of Saudi Arabia's 91st National Day, female troops of various ranks marched in an hour-long procession.

The event in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, was organized by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with the General Entertainment Authority (GEA). In the city of Jeddah, a similar march was organized.

Hundreds of Saudi nationals and residents turned out to see the soldiers march by, waving the Saudi flag and cheering them on.

The renaming of the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, following a royal edict from King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud, is commemorated on September 23 every year.

The GEA has planned a slew of activities and events to commemorate the occasion, which will run from September 23 to September 25. To avoid the spread of COVID-19, the Ministry of Health asked all citizens and residents to take preventive measures throughout the festivities.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense stated in February that women could now apply for military jobs through their unified admission portal.

The move is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 plan, which aims to improve the status of Saudi Arabian women in a variety of professions.

The Saudi Arabian Army, Royal Saudi Air Defense, Royal Saudi Navy, Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force, and Armed Forces Medical Services now allow women to enlist.

According to the government, Saudi Arabian women have been recruited as soldiers, lance corporals, corporals, sergeants, and staff sergeants.

A woman must be between the ages of 21 and 40, be at least 155 centimeters tall, and not be employed by the government to join the military.

She also needs to pass the admissions process, has a clean criminal background, and be medically able to serve.

A Saudi Arabian woman must also have her own national identification card, have completed at least high school, and cannot marry a non-Saudi Arabian citizen.