Saudi women are protesting strict clothing rules by wearing abayas inside out

Women in Saudi Arabia are protesting the country’s strict clothing laws by wearing their abayas — long, loose-fitting robes — inside out.

Using the hashtag #InsideOutAbaya, Saudi women are posting photos of themselves denouncing the kingdom’s rules.

READ MORE: As Saudi prince’s ‘revolutionary’ persona unravels, King Salman does damage control

Strict dress codes on women in Saudi Arabia have been enforced for several years, meaning they have to wear clothing such as headscarves and abayas in public.

However, in March, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the robes were not mandatory. Instead, he claimed both men and women are simply expected to dress modestly.

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“This, however, does not particularly specify a black abaya or black head cover. The decision is entirely left for women to decide what type of decent and respectful attire she chooses to wear.”

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READ MORE: Saudi Arabia announces it will let women drive

Months after that interview, women in Saudi Arabia say they haven’t seen a change in the way clothing rules are enforced.

One Twitter user named Nora Abdulkarim wrote that the online campaign is a means of “silent protest.”

Another woman tweeted about the protest, writing: “As a #Saudi woman, I don’t enjoy freedom to cloth. I am forced by the law to wear Abaya (black robe) everywhere but my house, which. I. can’t. take. any. more.”

https://twitter.com/Nikkaal/status/1061480607929245696

https://twitter.com/_Furyrogue/status/1062043839626649602

https://twitter.com/temedusa/status/1061484568346312704

Prince Mohammed has claimed in the past that he favours giving Saudi women more freedom. In June, women were given the ability to legally drive after decades of protests.

The kingdom also recently started allowing women to enter sports stadiums.

READ MORE: Who is Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed? 

However, the prince’s strategy of making the country appear slightly more progressive has also faced criticism.

The kingdom has arrested several female activists in the recent past and has been in a diplomatic row with Canada since Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland called for their release.

WATCH: Khashoggi describes living under Saudi crown prince’s ‘chauvinist’ rule

3:07 Khashoggi describes living under Saudi crown prince’s ‘chauvinist’ rule

The crown prince is also embroiled in an international controversy over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Khashoggi was a critic of the Saudi royal family and was among those who called for greater freedom for women.