Jeddah: The Saudi Arabian military on Sunday opened up to women recruits, the Arab News reported.

Earlier, a women’s section in the military was established in 2020.

According to Arab media, women can now join the army using the same portal as men to serve as soldiers, lance corporals, corporals, sergeants, and staff sergeants in the Saudi Arabian Army, Royal Saudi Air Defense, Royal Saudi Navy, Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force, and Armed Forces Medical Services.

The Saudi defence minister said that in addition to men, applications are also opened to women for recruitment in the army. Whereas all applicants have to go through an admission procedure.

Females aged between 21-40 with 155 cm height and with at least a high school education and who are holders of an independent national identity card are eligible to apply. Applicants cannot be married to non-Saudi citizens and cannot be government employees.

Saudi Arabia first announced in 2019 that women would be able to serve in the military, as part of a programme of social reform.