Saudi Arabia: Ban on women driving to be lifted June 24

Event

On Tuesday, May 8, Saudi government officials announced that the ban on women driving would be lifted throughout the kingdom on Sunday, June 24. Protests against the decision may occur throughout the country in the coming weeks.

Context

In September, King Salman issued a royal decree ordering the ban on women driving be lifted. 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.

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.

Advice

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