A group of Saudi women’s rights activists are submitting a petition to the Saudi government on Sunday, a national holiday in the kingdom, demanding they be allowed to drive cars.
The privilege is denied to them by law for religious reasons, on the grounds that it would expose them to unfamiliar men on the roads and endanger the strict separation between men and women in the kingdom.
Haifa Osrah, a social worker from Jedda and one of the campaign’s initiators, told The Media Line it was a necessity for women to drive.
“We all depend on men such as fathers and brothers. Women here need freedom to accomplish their needs and be independent,” she said.
Although Saudi King ‘Abdallah has talked about allowing women to drive, Osrah said no legal moves have been made in this direction.
“I think it’s more of a problem with the religious people who don’t accept women driving,” she said.
As well as women, several Saudi men, mostly well off and educated, have also signed the petition.
“They welcome the idea because it’s heavy work for them to be responsible for the women, drive them and pick them up,” Osrah said.
It might take time for Saudi society to accept such a measure because Saudis are generally reluctant to welcome changes, she said. However, she believes it will be accepted over time.
Osrah belongs to the Society for Protecting Women’s Rights, which aims to improve conditions for women in Saudi Arabia. Apart from the driving campaign, the organization is also fighting for women to be given more freedom, especially in matters concerning marriage, divorce and custody over children.