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February 1, 2008

Saudi Women Seek Right to Drive


by Rohan Parker

Advocates of the right for women to drive in Saudi Arabia have this week petitioned King Abdullah with over 3,000 signatures, seeking a further advance for women’s rights in a country that is beginning to show a budding concern for the autonomy of its female citizens.

Since he took power in 2005, the King has been an active supporter and champion of women’s rights; taking regular state trips overseas with delegations of female academics and journalists. He has also pressed for women’s right to work, and concedes that women should be allowed to drive - adding, however, that the Saudi society should itself accept this advance, rather than having the still controversial decision forced upon them.

Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that continues to prohibit women from driving, and women’s groups in the country hold rising hopes that the ban will be lifted as soon as late 2008.

“I think the authorities want people to get used to the idea and will lift the ban before the end of the year,” said Wajeha al-Huwaider, a 45 year old educational analyst and co-founder of the petitioning group.

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