Observers have said that a photograph of a Saudi king and crown prince posing with 40 women in Muslim dress is being called a landmark for Saudi women's rights.

ABC News reported on Monday that the photograph of King Abdallah and the women is remarkable since separation of the sexes is central to Saudi Arabia's conservative social mores.

ABC also said that there has been a slow but significant relaxation of gender segregation since Abdallah came to power in 2005.

It was also noted by the report that men and women are still schooled separately, use different entrances into most buildings, and sit in gender-segregated sections of restaurants and cafes. Many hail the photo as an important public step towards women's rights.

Dr. Maha Muneef, a prominent physician and government adviser, said, "I think this is a great picture and everyone is talking about it."

She said, "This is a picture that sent a message to the people that it is OK to work with women and be side by side with women and there's nothing wrong with that."

Dr. Basmah Al Omair, who runs a center that lobbies for greater rights for women, agrees.

She said, "The whole point of (Abdallah's) taking photos with women is to get people comfortable with the idea of men and women mixing." (With Inputs from Agencies)