Saudi Arabia To Finally Lift Ban On Women Driving
Right now, Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that doesn’t allow women to drive. That’s all set to change though, as King Salman - who rules the country via what’s known as an absolute monarchy - has decreed that the ban will be lifted.
The exclusion has been part of a range of restrictions placed on women including gender segregation and strict guidelines on clothing. Anyone flouting the driving ban faces arrest and fines, but from 24 June 2018 when the royal order is implemented, that will end.
On Tuesday Prince Khaled bin Salman, the kingdom’s US ambassador, spoke of it being “an historic and big day in our kingdom,” adding, “I think our leadership understands that our society is ready. I think it’s the right decision at the right time.”
You want a statement here is one: "Saudi Arabia will never be the same again. The rain begins with a single drop" #Women2Drive ❤️
— منال مسعود الشريف (@manal_alsharif) September 26, 2017
The decree follows years of campaigning from rights activists, and fierce opposition from religious leaders with arguments ranging from women apparently being “too stupid” to drive, to claims from conservative cleric Sheikh Saleh al-Lohaidan in 2013 that driving damages women’s ovaries. Yes, really.
Speaking to BBC news, campaigner Sahar Nassif said, “I couldn’t believe it. I started laughing and jumping and screaming. It’s a great victory….I’m going to buy my dream car, a convertible Mustang, and it’s going to be black and yellow!”
Women won’t need permission from a man to take driving lessons, and there won’t be any restrictions on where they can drive, Prince Salman confirmed.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Every guy from Balkan is disappointed at this moment.
“I’m going to buy my dream car, a convertible Mustang, and it’s going to be black and yellow!”
This could not end well.
http://gph.is/1HIwCB3
every guy from Balkan is betting on how high will the accident / crash percentage rise within the first year
Yeah! ABOUT TIME!
I’m one of those people that wants there to be more women drivers (preferably petrolheads although)
Finally a good news this week
Good thing they’re already protecting the immigrants by discriminating them and asking them to stay away from their country by asking us to pay taxes. 😂👌
Next are they going to let women get outside by their own?
Finally! They’ve been to restrictive over there for too long. My mother drives better than most of the taxi drivers in the KSA 😂
I can officially say welcome to the 19th century Saudi Arabia.