What happened: On March 24, Saudi Arabia opened registration for females to join the Border Guards at the rank of private, according to Arab News. The interior ministry’s General Department of Central Admission would accept applications for admission through the Absher portal’s jobs area from March 26 through March 31. Details: The Saudi Ministry of Defense made it possible for both, men and women, to join the Saudi armed services in Feb 2021. Women were given military ranks ranging from private to sergeant in the Saudi Arabian Army, Royal Saudi Air Defence, Royal Saudi Navy, Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force, and Armed Forces Medical Services. After completing 14 weeks of basic training, the first cohort of female Saudi soldiers graduated from the Armed Forces Women’s Cadre Training Centre in Sept 2021. Requirements: According to the Saudi Ministry of Defense, a woman must be between the ages of 21 and 40, be at least 155 centimetres tall, and not be employed by the government. She must also pass the admissions process, have a clean criminal background, and be medically fit for duty. Why it matters: The move is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to introduce reforms that will enable Saudi women to grow in a variety of sectors.