With the rise of young Prince Mohammad bin Salman to power, the kingdom has witnessed an expansion of women's rights, such as allowing women to attend mixed public sporting events and granting them the right to drive cars starting this summer. These changes have been seen as evidence of a new progressive movement towards modernization in the traditionally conservative Muslim nation, although critics still point out the ongoing restrictions on women. Prince Mohammed explained in an interview with CBS television that the laws of sharia (Islamic law) require women to dress modestly and respectfully, similar to men. However, he noted that this does not specifically mandate wearing a black abaya or head cover. Women have the freedom to choose what type of decent and respectful attire they want to wear, according to a recent event in Saudi Arabia on International Women's Day. A senior cleric stated that women should dress modestly but clarified that this did not necessarily mean wearing the traditional abaya. It is uncertain whether these statements indicate a shift in the enforcement of women's dress code in Saudi Arabia, where there is no written legal code to accompany sharia texts. For a long time, police and the judiciary have enforced a strict dress code that includes Saudi women wearing abayas and often covering their hair and faces. The kingdom has experienced a cautious increase in social freedoms with the rise of the 32-year-old crown prince, Mohammad bin Salman, to power after many years of elderly rulers. As a result, Saudi women have begun wearing more colorful abayas, such as light blues and pinks, instead of the traditional black. Open abayas over long skirts or jeans are also becoming more prevalent in certain areas of the country. On March 8 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a group of women celebrated International Women's Day by going for a jog, ignoring the curious stares of onlookers. Despite this progress, activists criticize Saudi Arabia's guardianship system which still requires women to obtain permission from a male family member for activities such as studying abroad and traveling. Recently, a UN rights watchdog urged Saudi Arabia to eliminate discriminatory practices against women, including the requirement of male guardianship, and ensure they have equal access to justice.