For Women In Saudi Arabia, Reforms Beckon With A New Era

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - JUNE 22: "Saudi Arabia will prosper," said artist Lina Gazzaz of the deep-reaching social and economic reforms currently underway in Saudi Arabia as she stands in front of a video installation of hers on June 22, 2018 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Lina said she sees parallels between Saudi Arabia now and Japan in the 19th century as it too sought to modernize and become more open. In der video installation a sculpture of a cat waves, a motiv she claims originated in Japan, not in China, as a symbol of Japan's gesture towards the outside world and which she has painted green, the color of the Saudi Arabian flag. Saudi Arabia is scheduled to lift its ban on women driving, which has been in place since 1957, on June 24. The Saudi government, under Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, is phasing in an ongoing series of reforms to both diversify the Saudi economy and to liberalize its society. The reforms also seek to empower women by restoring them basic legal rights, allowing them increasing independence and encouraging their participation in the workforce. Saudi Arabia is among the most conservative countries in the world and women have traditionally had much fewer rights than men. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)