Saudi Arabia Has Issued Its First Driver's Licenses To 10 Women

[Petar + 76]

A government statement said the 10 women who were issued licenses already held driving licenses from other countries, including the U.S., U.K., Lebanon and Canada. They took a brief driving test and eye exam before being issued the licenses at the General Department of Traffic in the capital, Riyadh. International media were not present for the event. Saudi women had long complained of having to hire costly male drivers, use taxis or rely on male relatives to get to work and run errands. The surprise move to issue some women licenses early came as activists who had campaigned for the right to drive remain under arrest, facing possible trial. Saudi Arabia’s prosecutor said Sunday that 17 people had been detained in recent weeks on suspicion of trying to undermine security and stability, a case activists said targeted prominent women’s rights campaigners. The prosecutor’s statement said eight have been temporarily released, while five men and four women remain under arrest.

[ThunderBlade + 231]

Put your seat belt on! 

[Rodent + 1,424]

2 minutes ago, Petar said:

A government statement said the 10 women who were issued licenses already held driving licenses from other countries, including the U.S., U.K., Lebanon and Canada. They took a brief driving test and eye exam before being issued the licenses at the General Department of Traffic in the capital, Riyadh. International media were not present for the event. Saudi women had long complained of having to hire costly male drivers, use taxis or rely on male relatives to get to work and run errands. The surprise move to issue some women licenses early came as activists who had campaigned for the right to drive remain under arrest, facing possible trial. Saudi Arabia’s prosecutor said Sunday that 17 people had been detained in recent weeks on suspicion of trying to undermine security and stability, a case activists said targeted prominent women’s rights campaigners. The prosecutor’s statement said eight have been temporarily released, while five men and four women remain under arrest.

[slow clap]

[damirUSBiH + 327]

About time. That's good, women should be given equal opportunities and level playing field as men. They are so far from elementary human rights.

[Pavel + 384]

10? That's a lot if you ask me...C'mon MBS, you can do better!

[rainman + 263]

Good news. Let there be more freedom to women in this country. Small step for Saudi Arabia, big step for women rights

[pinto + 293]

It’s 2018. If you’re impressed by this you have low standards for equality. I'm not one of the many that “sit there and be chill” and don’t expect big step forward...Women in SA live as in the 17th century. 

 

[franco + 96]

It's about time the shackles came off,  or at least loosened ...

[Rodent + 1,424]

I think this slow-roll into women's rights is interesting, given the progressive (by Saudi standards) nature of MBS. Aramco did just elect a woman to its board, so there are itty bitty glimpses of Saudi Arabia tiptoeing out of the dark ages. Gotta keep those hardliners happy, though. 

But the media fawning all over this (and MBS) is eye-roll worthy. Saudi Arabia sits comfortably on the top ten list of the most oppressive, gender-unequal countries in the world. Allowing 10 women to drive doesn't change that. Plz.

 

[JunoTen + 118]

It's an oppressive autocratic regime that funds terrorism. I don't see why we should have any sympathy towards it for giving a basic right that all women everywhere in the world have.

[Tom Kirkman + 8,860]

7 hours ago, JunoTen said:

It's an oppressive autocratic regime that funds terrorism. I don't see why we should have any sympathy towards it for giving a basic right that all women everywhere in the world have.

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