Saudi women's rights activists have posted on the web a video of a woman at the wheel of her car, in protest at the ban on female drivers in the kingdom.
Saudi women's rights activists have posted on the web a video of a woman at the wheel of her car, in protest at the ban on female drivers in the kingdom.
Wajeha Huwaider talks of the injustice of the ban and calls for its abolition as she drives calmly along a highway.
Wajeha Huwaider talks of the injustice of the ban and calls for its abolition as she drives calmly along a highway.
She says the film was posted to mark International Women's Day. Thousands have viewed it on the YouTube website.
She says the film was posted to mark International Women's Day. Thousands have viewed it on the YouTube website.
The last such public show of dissent was in 1990 when dozens of women were arrested for circling Riyadh in cars.
The last such public show of dissent was in 1990 when dozens of women were arrested for circling Riyadh in cars.
Last year, Ms Huwaider and other activists circulated a petition which was sent to King Abdullah urging him to lift the ban.
Last year, Ms Huwaider and other activists circulated a petition which was sent to King Abdullah urging him to lift the ban.
Many women in this society are able to drive cars, and many of our male relatives don't mind Wajeha Huwaider In the three-minute clip, she at first drives around a residential compound where she notes that women are allowed to drive because it is not a public road.
Many women in this society are able to drive cars, and many of our male relatives don't mind Wajeha Huwaider In the three-minute clip, she at first drives around a residential compound where she notes that women are allowed to drive because it is not a public road.
But about halfway through, without comment, she executes a left turn onto the main highway and proceeds to drive along it in defiance of Saudi law.
But about halfway through, without comment, she executes a left turn onto the main highway and proceeds to drive along it in defiance of Saudi law.
"Many women in this society are able to drive cars, and many of our male relatives don't mind us driving," she says in Arabic.
"Many women in this society are able to drive cars, and many of our male relatives don't mind us driving," she says in Arabic.
"I hope that by next year's International Woman's Day, this ban on us will be lifted," she concludes.
"I hope that by next year's International Woman's Day, this ban on us will be lifted," she concludes.
In February, two leading Islamic scholars said there was no reason to continue the ban.
In February, two leading Islamic scholars said there was no reason to continue the ban.
However, many conservatives continue to resist reform, arguing it would lead to mingling of the sexes which is banned under Saudi Arabia's strict interpretation of Islamic Law.
However, many conservatives continue to resist reform, arguing it would lead to mingling of the sexes which is banned under Saudi Arabia's strict interpretation of Islamic Law.
The 1990 protest, coming at the height of the Gulf crisis when US forces had come to defend Saudi Arabia, was followed by a crackdown on the women drivers and their passengers.
The 1990 protest, coming at the height of the Gulf crisis when US forces had come to defend Saudi Arabia, was followed by a crackdown on the women drivers and their passengers.
The women were jailed for one day, their passports confiscated, and many lost their jobs.
The women were jailed for one day, their passports confiscated, and many lost their jobs.
King Abdullah has in the past said that he thought a day would eventually come when Saudi women were allowed to drive.
King Abdullah has in the past said that he thought a day would eventually come when Saudi women were allowed to drive.
Are you affected by this story? Do you think women in Saudi Arabia should be allowed to drive? What do you think of this video protest?
Are you affected by this story? Do you think women in Saudi Arabia should be allowed to drive? What do you think of this video protest? Send us your comments using the form below:
Here are a few of your comments
The only way for women to get their rights is to TAKE them. Ms. Huwaider has been in the forefront of this push and is extremely brave. Those outside Saudi Arabia cannot comprehend the guts needed to make this move and the extent to which women in the Kingdom are powerless. I lived in Saudi Arabia for over 20 years so I know first-hand the oppression of women by the system.Brenda Gant, La Crescenta, CA, USA
Saying a lot of husbands do not mind that women drive is quite exaggerated. Most of the men of the age of 45 and above, including my father, approve the actual law. Perhaps in a few years when the new generation takes his place it will change, but for now, forget it.Omar Stitou, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
I think that Saudi women proved to be smart, clever, and hardworking and driving a car is not an issue. There are many subjects that should be tackled that are much more important than a woman driving a car.Lubna Dawany, Jordan
Islam gives the same rights to both men and women, so as long as the women are in proper Islamic ijab....Let us say that in Afghanistan, Pakistan and many Islamic countries we have Muslim drivers and pilots, so should we ban them too? Let the women drive, but they should be in proper ijab.Angaar, Kabul, Afghanistan (recently living in Dubai U.A.E)
Why should women in these Arab countries be treated with such cruelty? Their men should understand that tradition, religion and customs are things of the mind. They themselves can only be free when they realise the truth and stop pushing the women to the back.Stanley Tankoh, Cameroon
I feel that women should not be allowed to drive since this is an islamic country. If they are allowed to drive then it would result in many crimes including intermingling of sexes...The ban should remain in place.Salahuddin Ahmed, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Surely it is now time to apply international pressure on the Saudi government, or rather royal family, to end this archaic law and give the women of Saudi Arabia the basic right to drive. This would, at least, provide some kind of dignity and freedom. All power to them.Kris Steele, Bahrain
The irony is that the Saudi authorities insist that there is no law against women driving in the country. Rather, it is 'socially condemned' and thus unacceptable. My question then is - if it isn't technically illegal, why should women fear being arrested? Of course, the authorities identify this technicality to highlight their 'acceptance' of it, yet blame it on society and reprimand those who do drive. Mohammed, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
