The Women Of Saudi Arabia

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY, 2003: A group of young women participate in an Interior Design class at the Dar Al-Hekma College for Women where three majors, Business Information Systems, Special Education, and Interior Design, are offered, on January, 2003 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Women must wear the abaya, (traditional long black tunic covering the body from head to toe) in public and in the presence of their close male family members (including a mahram, a male tutor, father, husband or brother) to protect themselves from the other men's glances, but nothing prevents them from being feminine and coquettish beneath. Only very young girls are allowed to wear a more "relaxed" outfit showing arms and head. (Photo by Reza/Getty Images)