Saudi Arabia: Ban on women driving to be lifted

Event

On Tuesday, September 27, King Salman issued a royal decree ordering the ban on women driving be lifted, putting an end to an ultra-conservative tradition criticized by the international community and widely viewed as a repression of women's rights. The decree announced the formation of a ministerial body to advise the government on the matter within 30 days and to lift the ban by June 24, 2018. Protests against the decision may occur throughout the country in the coming weeks.

Context

Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that bans women from driving, a fact which has hindered the Kingdom's recent efforts to modernize its international image. Women in Saudi Arabia have fought for over 25 years for the right to drive using petitions, social media, and at times taking to the road themselves in protest - sometimes resulting in fines, arrests, imprisonment, and harassment. The Saudi government, in recent years, has put forth ambitious goals to increase women representation in business and government as a part of the country's Vision 2030 program to modernize the Kingdom. This recent decision to allow women to drive has been praised by governments and activists around the world, but has been questioned by conservatives in the country who feel the government is "bending the verses of Sharia."

Advice

Individuals in Saudi Arabia are advised to keep abreast of the situation and avoid any associated protests as a precaution.