To rejoice at the news today that the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia has been lifted, but to also think that it's long overdue?

[Mittens1969]

I heard on the news today that the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia has finally been lifted. We lived there for one year when I was a small child, and I know it was a horrible experience for my DM. It wasn't just the driving ban, women couldn't go by bus without a man either.

It's a great step forward but women the world over mustn't lose sight of the fact that there's a hell of a long way to go in that country and the world over to improve women's lives.

But huge respect to the Saudi women who have fought for this moment.

Welcome to the 21st century Saudi Arabia, where women have votes and can drive! It's a small step forward but great news for women.

Yes but... Devil is in the detail... Its not till 2018 when we'll see the conditions which apply, which could involve who can permit a woman to drive, when and where, is at night etc. As of now its a good thing but may turn into much less of a good thing than one supposes

I became irrationally annoyed at the smug fucker on TV (SA minister of some kind) announcing this.

I asked on another thread about how dependant on men this will still be. Who's going to teach them, you can change laws but you can't change a persons opinions and of he won't accompany his wife or sister or teach them or allow a man to teach them then they will still be equally stick won't they?

Very true. But other Muslim countries allow women to drive so I expect driving instructors could come over from there initially. I don't know but I think the women campaigning hard for this will have made plans for what to do. Hopefully!

I hope so

Or it's meaningless really.

Women still need the permission of a male guardian to access healthcare.

It's a step, but it's a small one. Dragged kicking and screaming forward into the Middle Ages, really.

I think it's a symbolic step for Muslim women who have been campaigning for this for many years.

It's just reinforcing the patriarchy by the tacit acceptance that you have to be "allowed" to do something if you're a woman.

It's a little like being "allowed" to wear your own clothes to school.

That said, it's better forwards than backwards.

It's symbolic yes, but good grief theres a long way to go. So depressing how much women are hated and controlled.

Its a small step but will take a long time to be accepted by the patriarchy.

They will have to consider how to get around all the other restrictions on women which will prevent them ever being able to drive without some men resisting it.

In many areas of SA:
Their husbands/fathers can still refuse to allow them to drive.
Women are not allowed to go to many places without an escort.
Women have to sit in the back seat of a car and the men in the front.
Many men will not accept being driven by a woman.
Police cannot search them.
Women are not even allowed to speak to a male who isnt a family member.
Women are still required to be covered head to toe.
Who is going to teach them? The driving in SA is criminally appaling as it is. (Perhaps the women drivers will bring some common sense and safety to the roads? )

You can bet your bottom dollar that there will be objection after objection by the time it goes through the legalities and it will be restrictive in its final application.

They have women pilots in SA but they arent deemed fit enough to drive a car!

@LurkingHusband

"It's just reinforcing the patriarchy"

On to a loser with people like you, weren't they?

"It's a little like being "allowed" to wear your own clothes to school."

Are you comparing oppression of women in strict Muslim states with school uniform?

@Gileswithachainsaw

"you can change laws but you can't change a persons [sic] opinions"

The European and North American political left like to believe they can but look at the backlash.

Prince Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi ambassador, said women would be able to obtain driver’s licenses without having to ask permission of their husbands, fathers or any male guardian — despite so-called “guardianship” laws that give men power over their female relatives.

A step in the right direction. Still things to be done, and I'm cynical about the reasons, but it is a start.

Many women in Saudi have perfectly valid driving licences from other countries. Hopefully this will mean there will be women who can teach other women to drive.

This article is a few years old. So much respect for the brace women who have fought this.

world.time.com/2011/06/17/making-history-time-sits-with-a-woman-behind-the-wheel-in-saudi-arabia/

Brave.