The impact of Mohammed bin Salman's reforms on Saudi women in the context of the international system

The gradual easing of long-standing restrictions on women in Saudi Arabia, the lifting of existing bans, and the process of granting women new rights in various areas has taken shape not only as a result of the modernisation and reform-focused political will within the country, but also as part of a multidimensional transformation driven by emerging dynamics in the international arena and the increasing influence of the outside world.These changes have been closely associated with the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), who has positioned himself as the main driver of changes in the kingdom, seeking to reshape its domestic policies while aligning the country with global norms. This study aims to determine how international developments have influenced Saudi Arabia's domestic and foreign reform policies and to assess the extent to which reforms aimed at empowering Saudi women within the framework of the Vision 2030 national development plan have impacted women's lives. To examine the impact of the reforms on Saudi women, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with Saudi women in Jeddah (urban) and Baljurashi (rural). A systematic analysis of the qualitative data was conducted using MAXQDA Analytics Pro 2024. The findings revealed that the reforms led by Crown Prince MbS have resulted in the implementation of comprehensive legal reforms that have radically changed the lives of Saudi women, changed women's social roles, and increased their visibility and dignity in the social and public sphere.