Published: January 21, 2008, 16:28


Riyadh: Saudi Arabia is to lift the ban on women drivers.

Government officials have confirmed the landmark decision and plan to issue a decree by the end of the year.

The move is designed to forestall protests for greater freedom by women, which have recently included campaigners driving cars through the kingdom in defiance of a threat of detention and loss of livelihoods.

The royal family has previously baulked at granting women driving permits, claiming the step did not have full public support. The driving ban dates back to the establishment of the state in 1932, although recently the government line has weakened.

“There has been a decision to move on this by the Royal Court because it is recognised that if girls have been in schools since the 1960s, they have a capability to function behind the wheel when they grow up,” a government official said. “We will make an announcement soon.”

Abdul Aziz Bin Salamah, the deputy information minister, said the official reform programme had been dogged by debate over the issue.

http://www.gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi_arabia/10183676.html

they should have permitted women to drive long time ago
it's much better than taking a taxi and goin with a stranger :rolleyes:

It's about time.

Great progression for women's rights. I hope that all ends well and women are able to really have this kind of independence.

I guess it's miracle season for KSA...
First snow, then this.

It's a starting point ...

Time will tell if it's a stopping point ...

Well, it's about time they give women their rights!

A step forward, hopefully it's just the first of many more steps to come.

i think if some of you here dont really know anything about the country and never been there,so you should say nothing and shut up a little please...

and mind ur own businesses ..


there is for sure a reason why the waited till now to let their woman to drive
and each country is different somehow!

i think if some of you here dont really know anything about the country and never been there,so you should say nothing and shut up a little please...

and mind ur own businesses ..


there is for sure a reason why the waited till now to let their woman to drive
and each country is different somehow!

You have my permission to educate us on the valid reasons.

There was never a religious basis for women not to be permittd to drive. WHY look at other Muslim countries such as Oman who are more open minded in regards to this issue. Not allowing these women to drive must have stemmed from cultural fears or old traditions. All in all I am glad that these women are going to have more freedom to go shopping, take their kids to school, go to work, visit family and whatnot.

They drive and ride camel off road for long time.
women drive and ride camel off road.
i meant the woman driving champion.

Wow finally!..

Wow finally!..Yes finally Saudi has entered the 20th century :hyper:

women drive and ride camel off road.
i meant the woman driving champion.
http://www.women24.com/Woman/Content_Display/E-Cards/DisplayImageBlob/0,,28233,00.jpg
Marwa Mahmood Al-Eifa a young Saudi woman won first place in the first international women's rally car race in Dubai.

I think the Saudi women themselves in the past against the idea of driving, and now they are ready so the government has considered their request.

man! the off-topics..
please remain on topic.

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thats great news. i'm not sure how will it be taken by the saudi society though. lets wait and see.

Well, they still can't go out without a male relative accompanying them, right? So, they will be driving while big brother rides along, I guess...

A step forward. I think there is much brewing beneath the surface in Saudi, so we shall see what we shall see.

WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ?

Have they learned nothing from all the women driving jokes ?!

At freaking last!!!

Took them long enough

In case someone is interested in what Saudi women or women who live there say :


Here are some headlines I would like to see

"Women Can Decide Their Own Medical Care In Saudi Arabia"
"All Saudis Can Choose to Marry Mate From A Different Nationality Without Bribes, Wasta, Or Begging Officials"
"Women Can Choose To Continue Higher Education Without Consent Of Guardian"
"Women Have Better Access To Legal System In Saudi Arabia"
"Women Can Divorce Husbands Without Years Of Wait And Torment"
"Widows Can Marry Without Fear Of Loosing Children"
"Divorced Women Retain Rights In Custody Of Children"
"Children Protective Services Granted Full Legal Authority- Zero Tolerance Of Abuse Initiated"
"All Child Molesters To Be Beheaded- Now Seen Worse Than Drug Traffickers"
"Rape Victims To Receive Respected Care And Protection"

I can go on!

http://nzinghas.blogspot.com/2008/01/attention-damien-mcelroy.html

^

Will they settle for a hotel room for now?

Women Can Now Stay in Hotels Without Male Guardians, Saudi Officials Say (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,324206,00.html)

^ Lol...they're entering the 21st century with flying colors :color: who knows what it will be next...

But their info has to be provided to the police...wtf? :think:

"Women Can Divorce Husbands Without Years Of Wait And Torment"


Better to restrict that option otherwsie we will see divorce rate will increase for no valid reasons. Women tend to be emotional in such cases which will lead them to take a wrong decision.

Better to restrict that option otherwsie we will see divorce rate will increase for no valid reasons. Women tend to be emotional in such cases which will lead them to take a wrong decision.

I don't think a woman in our culture and society would divorce her husband for invalid reasons anyway...so am all up for women being able to divorce without years of waiting.

i wanna move there...
imagine no woman has so far been allowed to drive, i could be the driving champ of saudi arabia.
bet the taxis are gonna not gonna like it..

Enough with the lame jocks already!


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Wow, I think this is a huge step for them, I hope it's going to be a positive step rather than a trouble making one. :yes:

Better to restrict that option otherwsie we will see divorce rate will increase for no valid reasons. Women tend to be emotional in such cases which will lead them to take a wrong decision.
Oh yes. All them emotional and deficient women..

No wonder the men take so many liberties.

Well, it's about time they give women their rights!


I couldn't agree with you more!

Good news.

It seems the two systems in KSA are not parallel any more unless there is a compensation.

Interesting news, and congratulations.