A new electronic tracking system sends SMS messages to the male guardians of Saudi Arabian women who attempt to cross the border, according to a report in Al-Arabiya.
Men will receive the text messages even if their custodians are travelling with them. Women are not allowed to leave Saudi Arabia without the written consent of their male guardians.
According to the report, the program was instituted after the recent escape of a Saudi woman to Sweden, following her surreptitious conversion to Christianity. The woman, who was interviewed in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Yaum newspaper, denied ever having left Islam, and said she intends to return to Saudi Arabia, saying she only left to escape some family problems.
Saudi Arabia applies the strictest interpretation of Shariah Islamic law, and does not permit women to drive cars.
Last year, King Abdullah granted women the right to vote for the first time.
