Saudi Arabia women finally allowed to drive after ban is lifted
Starting from Sunday, women in Saudi Arabia can legally drive a car as the world’s last ban on female drivers is lifted after 30 years.
Just four years ago,
this government-sponsored event was an unthinkable scene in the deeply
religious and socially conservative country.
But the most visible sign of change is coming Sunday, when women in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to drive, ending a ban that had stained the kingdom’s reputation globally, kept women subjugated in the back seat and hindered the full potential of the country’s economic growth.
The
move places Saudi women at the heart of a major transformation being
spearheaded by the country’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It also
places women at the centre of a tug of war between those agitating for
more openings and a religious majority that remains wary of changes that
could be influenced by the West.
It was only a few years ago that religious police- known for their long beards and shorter white robes- enforced an austere interpretation of Islam that banned music of any kind in public. They could detain groups of unmarried men and women for simply standing around or sitting together.
They ensured restaurants and stores closed their doors for daily prayers and waved sticks at women who had their hair or face uncovered, shouting through microphones attached to the tops of their cars as they patrolled the streets.
Unlike previous Saudi monarchs who took cautious, incremental steps to reform the country, King Salman has granted his 32-year-old son and heir, the crown prince, a free hand to usher in dramatic moves that are reshaping the country. Allowing musical concerts, opening movie theatres, easing restrictions on gender segregation and reigning in the powers of the religious police have all been signature reforms of the young prince.
He’s seen as the force behind the king’s decision to lift the longstanding ban on women driving this Sunday.
Al-Fireiji, 60, quickly clarified that while there was “nothing wrong” with previous Saudi rulers, now is the time for change.
Granting women the right to drive is part of a wider blueprint for the future drawn up by the crown prince. In an era of sustained lower oil prices, the government is pushing Saudis to become less reliant on the government for jobs, handouts and subsidies. Some 70 per cent of Saudis who work are employed in the public sector and rely on the government for their wages.
Official statistics show that women make up the overwhelming majority of job seekers in Saudi Arabia and that around 34 per cent of Saudis seeking employment are between 25 and 29 years old.
But the most visible sign of change is coming Sunday, when women in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to drive, ending a ban that had stained the kingdom’s reputation globally, kept women subjugated in the back seat and hindered the full potential of the country’s economic growth.
It was only a few years ago that religious police- known for their long beards and shorter white robes- enforced an austere interpretation of Islam that banned music of any kind in public. They could detain groups of unmarried men and women for simply standing around or sitting together.
They ensured restaurants and stores closed their doors for daily prayers and waved sticks at women who had their hair or face uncovered, shouting through microphones attached to the tops of their cars as they patrolled the streets.
Unlike previous Saudi monarchs who took cautious, incremental steps to reform the country, King Salman has granted his 32-year-old son and heir, the crown prince, a free hand to usher in dramatic moves that are reshaping the country. Allowing musical concerts, opening movie theatres, easing restrictions on gender segregation and reigning in the powers of the religious police have all been signature reforms of the young prince.
He’s seen as the force behind the king’s decision to lift the longstanding ban on women driving this Sunday.
I can say that Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince, came at the right time. He is young and motivated, said Lulwa al-Fireiji, speaking at Friday night’s event to encourage women to drive.
Al-Fireiji, 60, quickly clarified that while there was “nothing wrong” with previous Saudi rulers, now is the time for change.
I will get a license, but I won’t drive right away because the elders are always scared. But the young people are motivated and we need at this time someone like Mohammed bin Salman — motivated, God bless him, and daring. He will move the country (forward) faster, she said.
Granting women the right to drive is part of a wider blueprint for the future drawn up by the crown prince. In an era of sustained lower oil prices, the government is pushing Saudis to become less reliant on the government for jobs, handouts and subsidies. Some 70 per cent of Saudis who work are employed in the public sector and rely on the government for their wages.
Official statistics show that women make up the overwhelming majority of job seekers in Saudi Arabia and that around 34 per cent of Saudis seeking employment are between 25 and 29 years old.
AP
Posts
