In what is being seen as a major breakthrough in establishing gender equality in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia,  the government of the notoriously misogynistic state have announced, that from January 1st 2017, women will be allowed to clean the car on Sunday mornings as long as they are modestly dressed.

 

A Saudi government spokesman told a press conference last night.

 

"In a goodwill gesture towards the daughters of Saudi Arabia, it is the will of Allah and the Crown Prince, that women will in future be permitted to hose down their husband's car on Sunday mornings between the hours of 10.00am and 1,00pm.

 

"The face will be covered at all times during the task, except when bending to scrub the alloy wheels when the full burkha will be compulsory.

 

"Playfully spraying the children with the hosepipe, or listening to The Archers omnibus edition on the car radio is forbidden on pain of death.

 

"Any woman found discussing the weather, or the previous day's football results, with the man next door mowing his lawn, will be sentenced to 100 lashes or stoned to death, depending on how cheerful she was being at the time"

 

This latest move by the Saudis is seen as another positive step towards the equality of women in The Middle East following on from the recent initiative by the Iranian government to allow women over the age of 50 to become backseat drivers on weekend journeys down to the coast.