ALLOWING SAUDI WOMEN TO DRIVE — WHAT IT REALLY MEANS

Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 30

My colleagues around the world have asked me why the decision to permit Saudi women to drive is such a monumental development in our country’s history. The answer is very simple: other than the mere freedom that comes with driving, the lifting of the female driving ban achieves three main things for Saudi Arabia.

First, it challenges the growing influence of religious groups and Islamist hard-liners in our country. For years, religious fundamentalists have told us that women must stay home and remain subservient to their husbands. Women were accordingly forbidden from integrating into society. With the lifting of the ban, we are finally sending a clear message to Saudi women that they are equal to men. We’ve also marked a clear line in the sand in regard to succumbing to the demands of religious zealots, reminding them that we will not let them dictate the laws of our country.

Second, we are providing women with the agency to make their own decisions and choices. Women who want to stay home may choose to do so. Those, however, who wish to leave their homes can now exercise their individual liberties without being constrained by anyone or anything. Women are no longer confined to a restricted space – whether physical or ideological – that limits their possibilities in life.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, allowing females to drive enables them to become contributing members of the Saudi economy. Until today, women could not truly pursue all educational and employment opportunities that were available to men. They depended on others to drive them and give them permission to go about their daily routines. Today, all of this comes to end. We’ve already seen Saudi women, especially of the younger generations, lead successful business and social enterprises. We are seeing women in academia and politics. The lifting of the driving ban is therefore only natural. Indeed, it is the stamp of approval given to every young girl in the kingdom, reminding her that she is worthy of and able to do whatever she dreams of doing in life.