Women must show the signed permission from a mahram (close male relative—husband, son, father, uncle or grandson) before she is free to travel, even inside Saudi Arabia. However, out of necessity, most women leave the house alone and often have contact with unrelated men to shop or conduct business. In 2019 and pursuant to suggestions made in 2017, Saudi women will soon be able to travel abroad freely without the need to take their guardians' permission. Since August 2019, women over 21 can travel abroad without permission from a male guardian.