Saudi Arabia’s Gendered-Judicial Reform and the New Personal Status Law: Profound Change or Gender Washing?

Abstract This article examines the socio-cultural and legal reforms in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the 2022 Personal Status Law ( psl ) as part of Crown Prince Muḥammad bin Salmān’s gendered-judicial reforms. The psl addresses marriage, divorce, child custody, and guardianship, aiming to standardize rulings and reduce judicial discretion in personal status matters. By tracing pivotal moments in Saudi history—such as the 1979 Grand Mosque Seizure, the Gulf War, the 9/11 attacks, and the Arab Spring—I contextualize the interplay between top-down reforms and grassroots public discourse in shaping gender policies. I argue that while the psl does enhance women’s rights and signals progress toward Vision 2030, it simultaneously perpetuates patriarchal structures, reflecting a strategic modernization that balances societal demands with the monarchy’s interests. This study contributes to understanding the complexities of gender reform in Saudi Arabia, exploring the broader implications of legal codification and the reorganization of the kingdom’s religious and political spheres.