Thousands of women activists in Saudi Arabia planned to start driving on Friday in defiance of a longstanding ban that prohibits women from even getting a drivers license.
The protest action comes after a campaign launched on social media began calling for women’s right to drive in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are banned from driving in major cities and towns, although they may drive in small towns and villages or in private housing compounds—some of which extend to many square miles. The Saudi Shura Council recommended in 2008 that the ban be relaxed, allowing young women to drive subject to some restrictive conditions.
When I read the headline, I thought “bloody black-cab drivers in London could take a leaf out of their book, because the rates are extortionate”.
(drumroll)
one of the prophet Mohammed’s wives drove a camel into battle – not being able to drive a car is a modern reversal of the ideals of the leader these Muslims purport to support – just like their hypocritical use of alcohol while pretending it is such a heinous crime…
Our support for Saudi Authority in the past has been as pathetic as our screwing up of the other middle eastern states throughout history…
Shelias wheels must have gone out of business
What annoyed me about this piece was that they said that the woman who drove in protest chose to hide themselves behind their veils as they were too scared to show themselves – what absolute rubbish! The women, again by their stupid laws, are not allowed to show themselves in public!
I’ve spent 2 weeks in that country on business and to say it is shocking out there is an understatement, it’s barbaric the way they treat not only women, but men as well. It is like hell on earth out there.
nice 1, gl
As this is the ONLY country in the world with NO women drivers on the road, then I would like to know if they have significantly fewer accidents, because if they don’t then it proves once & for all that women in general are not bad drivers.
If they do have fewer accidents then it is probably for some other reason or something or . . .
I second “An Elephant’s Child”‘s comment, although there could be other factors affecting road accidents such as road quality, current laws and speed limits, etc. so it would be very hard to tell.
I’m glad about this protest, it’s brilliant that women are standing up and doing something about sexism! Good on them!
“Saudi women are driving for change”
Let us hope that Saudi men have not conditioned Saudi women, into making miscalculations in their forthcoming parking maneuvers. Through misinforming them over the years. As to what constitutes six inches.
If Saudi women drive twice a good as the Saudi men there will still be lots of accidents. Saudi men cant drive.
Some Saudi will drive with a full veil on despite the danger that it obviously presents. I have seen this in other ME countries