Saudi women allowed to become notaries for first time

Women in Saudi Arabia will now be allowed to work as notaries, with 12 women granted permission licenses, the justice ministry said Monday.

The move comes amid a reform drive in the ultra-conservative kingdom that saw the authorities lift a ban on women drivers in June.

As notaries the women can now issue and cancel powers of attorney and certify documents to help establish companies or transfer property rights, the ministry said.

The modernisation push is being spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as he seeks to improve Saudi Arabia's image abroad and wean the economy off its dependence on oil. 

Despite the changes women still lack fundamental rights in Saudi Arabia. 

Under a strict guardianship system they still require permission from their closest male relative on basic decisions like enrolling in classes, renewing their passport, or undergoing some medical procedures.  

Human Rights Watch said last month that Saudi Arabia was pursuing an "unrelenting crackdown on the women's rights movement" following the arrest of two activists earlier this month.

Nouf Abdelaziz and Mayaa al-Zahrani were arrested in June following the detention of at least 14 other women's rights campaigners and supporters.

The kingdom has led a vicious media campaign against those arrested.

Saudi Arabia has described the activists as "traitors" in commentary condemned by Amnesty International as a "chilling smear campaign" and an "extremely worrying development for women human rights defenders" in the country.