UAE residents say Saudi move will empower women
dubai — UAE residents have welcomed the Saudi royal decree which will allow women in the kingdom to legally drive, with many saying that it will help them become ‘independent’ in various ways.
Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world with a ban on women drivers. However, in a historic decision on September 26, women will be allowed to obtain a driver’s license in the kingdom by June 2018.
Women in Saudi Arabia have been protesting the ban for decades and many have either been detained or arrested while doing so.
Khaleej Times spoke to UAE residents, most who have visited Saudi Arabia before, on how the removal of the ban will help the lives of women in the kingdom.
“I do believe it’s a great move. It will help women become more independent in their daily life and, moreover, it will help a lot of families financially as hiring a driver was quite an expense for Saudi household,” said a French expat in Dubai, Mathieu Garvi
“I’m curious also to see in the future if having women in the road will change the general attitude of Saudi driving which is very fast, dangerous and aggressive and having women on the road will help to ‘appease’ the general driving atmosphere.”
Anika Habib, an Australian expat in Dubai, believes that women being able to legally drive in the kingdom will possibly help create “equal opportunities” between men and women.
“It’s a great start. Women should have the same rights and freedom as men,” Habib said. “They are created equal in Islam, and this would even assist them in their more traditional roles, such as home care takers – for example, getting the groceries without a driver.”
An Egyptian expat in Dubai, Aya Hassan, believes that allowing women to drive is a ‘positive’ step.
Even though Hassan has never visited Saudi Arabia before, she is keen on driving there one day now that the ban has been lifted.
“The removal of the ban over women drivers in the KSA is seen as positive step towards women equality in kingdom,” she said. “It is a step forward to the kingdom and one more milestone in women’s rights in the region. As a Middle Eastern woman, I am proud of this removal and looking forward to the next steps towards women rights’ in the region.”
A Pakistani expat in Abu Dhabi, Ayisha Saeed, said women in the kingdom will finally be able to do “things on their own”.
She has been to Saudi twice and plans on driving there next year after the removal of the ban has come into effect.
“At least now women in Saudi will be able to do something on their own,” Saeed said. “Driving will be very useful for them. They will be able to do their work on their own, such as picking up their kids from school. And, yes, if I get a chance to go Saudi again, I’ll definitely drive there.”
— sarwat@khaleejtimes.com
As a Middle Eastern woman, I am looking forward to the next steps towards women rights’ in the region. — Egyptian expat Aya Hassan
It’s a great start. Women should have the same rights and freedom as men. — Anika Habib, an Australian expat
I do believe it’s a great move. It will help women become more independent in their daily life. — French expat Mathieu Garvi