Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved a measure criminalizing sexual harassment, the state news agency SPA reported.

The anti-harassment measure was approved on Monday by the Shura Council advisory body.

It introduces a jail sentence of up to five years and a 300,000 riyals ($80,000) fine.

“(The legislation) aims at combating the crime of harassment, preventing it, applying punishment against perpetrators and protecting the victims in order to safeguard the individual’s privacy, dignity and personal freedom which are guaranteed by Islamic law and regulations,” a statement from the Shura Council said.

The legislation, which awaits an expected royal decree to become law, is the latest in a series of reforms in the kingdom.

It comes weeks before a decades-old ban on women driving is set to be lifted.

Source: english.alarabiya.net