The Women of Saudi Arabia Hit the Roads

Women’s rights in the Middle East are a major point of contention. Saudi Arabian women are standing up to old traditions to liberate themselves from stringent rules. Saudi Arabia dictates stringent rules about women’s rights in their society and many women are growing tired of the oppression. Some major areas of discontent in women’s rights include the right to vote in democratic elections, the right to work in certain societal sectors, and the right to drive. Although Saudi Arabia has made several advances in supporting women's rights in recent years, women today still face profound discrimination, of which an imposed ban on their driving privileges is of the greatest offense. The ban on Saudi Arabian women’s driving privileges is undeserved and a hindrance to their rights to independence and poses a threat to the safety and welfare of their families.

Saudi Arabian women have faced profound discrimination for decades. These women are being proscribed by their male counterparts in what they can say, what they can do, and where they can go in the society in which they live. “The guardianship system still treats them as legal minors who cannot conduct official government business, travel abroad, marry, pursue higher education or undergo certain medical procedures without permission from their male guardians -- a husband, father, brother or even a young son” (Begum). This system of governance is further extended to an official ban placed on their driving privileges as decreed by higher authority. “Though no laws ban women from driving in Saudi Arabia, authorities do not issue them licenses” (Asia news Monitor). Clearly there is not an official law in place banning women from driving, yet they can still be arrested and detained if they are caught driving. This manner of discrimination is a shameful and Saudi Arabian women need to have the right to drive. to

The concept of women being allowed to drive is deeply debated by higher authorities in Saudi Arabian society. The ban on women’s driving privileges is a means for religious conservatives to hold firm to deep-seated traditions and not have to embrace more modernity in the Middle East. "Women in Saudi Arabia see other women in the Middle East making revolutions, women in Yemen and Egypt at the forefront of revolutions, being so bold, toppling entire governments" (Macfarquhar). Saudi Arabian women feel constrained by the imposed bans and are fueled by other movements from strong women standing up for their basic rights. According to Milani, “Aisha, one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad, commanded an army of men while riding on a camel. If Muslim women could ride camels 14 centuries ago, why shouldn’t they drive cars today.” A major stance in supporting women’s rights is breaking down the ban on their driving privileges. Although their desire for more freedom is defiantly fueling the fire, there are other important reasons why Saudi Arabian women want to drive.

The lives of Saudi Arabian women are centered around their families and they often consider the safety and security of them as their sole priority. “The brave Saudi women spearheading the women’s driving campaign are motivated by their concern for the safety and welfare of their loved ones, which is why they continue to demand permission to drive.” (Fatany) Women feel trapped in their homes and find it incredibly difficult to perform daily tasks such as picking up their kids from school, shopping for groceries, and going to doctor appointments. If the need to get around they usually have rely upon drivers. According to Fatany, “The frustration over the lack of a driver or the expenses of a driver combined with having to deal with his reckless driving, abuse of the vehicle, rude behavior and untrustworthiness are a source of tension in every Saudi household.” As the ban on these women’s driving privileges clearly impedes their ability to make sure their family’s security and welfare, serious consideration of eliminating the ban needs to take place.

Some headway in easing some restrictions on women in recent years is taking place. Women are allowed to enter into certain areas of the workforce and take part in other activities that have previously been banned. However, according to (Coogle), “These reforms have not recognized women’s fundamental right to speak out against the suffering imposed by Saudi Arabia’s male guardianship system, which forbids women from traveling.” It is unfortunate that women don’t have a voice in this matter and according to Sfeir, “It is an unfortunate backslide in the country's progress in the last two decades toward rationalization and secularization of its legal system.” Some fundamentalists agree that this matter must be taken to court for consideration. Although this measure is a step in the right direction, Saudi women have decided to take matters into their own hands to bring about tangible results.

Most recently women in Saudi Arabia have made headlines as they made an unexpected display of defiance by taking to the roads. They chose to defy the laws banning women from driving by getting behind the steering wheel. “After a campaign for change gathered pace on social media, numerous women filmed themselves behind the wheel Saturday in various cities and uploaded those videos to YouTube” (Jamjoom and Smith-Park). These amazing acts of bravery have fueled the flames for other women to follow suite, in particular one activist by the name of Manal Al-Sharif. She took to the road and posted a video of herself driving which then led to her arrest where she spent a week in jail (Jamjoom). This action has outraged many activists who believe this extreme punishment is not called for. The Saudi government claims that the ban of women driving is for "preserving sanctities and to prevent portents of evil, because it has been juridically proven that reasons for woman's degeneration or for exposing her to temptation should be prevented" (Los Angeles Times). Unjustified statements and harsh disciplinary actions imposed on these women are harsh and Saudi women must continue standing strong and taking a stances for their rights.

It is clear that Saudi Arabian women face an up-hill battle in achieving independence and ensuring their rights are acknowledged. Saudi women are weary of being demoralized and are seeking to free themselves from unrealistic restrictions to their rights. Many Saudi women are taking a brave stance against the current ban on their driving privileges by taking to the roads. These actions are major advances in the right direction towards obtaining the independence that they deserve. Saudi Arabian society has made some recent advances in supporting women’s rights such as allowing them to work in certain sectors and to take part in voting elections. However, other rights such as being allowed to drive are still not being recognized due to ongoing discrimination. These discriminations stem from religious conservatives who want to hold firm to old-fashioned traditions. The ban on their driving privileges is not justified and should definitely be lifted so that women can become more independent and feel secure in ensuring the safety and welfare of their families.

Works Cited

Begum, Rothna. "Give Saudi Women the Right to Drive." Online posting. Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch, 24 Oct. 2013. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. <http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/10/24/give-saudi-women-right-drive>.

Coogle, Adam. "Saudi Arabia to Women: "Don’t Speak Up, We Know What's Best For You"" Online Posting. Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch, 26 June 2013. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. <http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/06/26/saudi-arabia-women-dont-speak-we-know-whats-best-you>.

Fatany, Samar. "Let Women Drive for the Safety and Welfare of Their Families." Web log post. Saudi Women Driving. KHC, 16 Nov. 2013. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. <http://saudiwomendriving.blogspot.com/2013/11/let-women-drive-for-safety-and-welfare.html>.

Jamjoom, Mohammed. "Saudi Arabia Issues Warning to Women Drivers, Protesters." CNN. CNN, 24 Oct. 2013. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. <http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/24/world/meast/saudi-arabia-women-drivers/>.

Jamjoom, Mohammed, and Laura Smith-Spark. "Saudi Arabia Women Defy Authorities over Female Driving Ban." Online posting. CNN. CNN, 26 Oct. 2013. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. <http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/26/world/meast/saudi-arabia-women-drivers/>.

Los Angeles Times. "Saudi Arabian Regime Prohibits Driving by Women." Sun Sentinel: 0. Nov 15 1990. ProQuest. Web. 27 Nov. 2013.

Macfarquhar, Neil. "In a Scattered Protest, Saudi Women Take the Wheel." The New York Times. The New York Times, 17 June 2011. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/18/world/middleeast/18saudi.html?_r=0>.

Milani, Farzaneh. "Saudi Arabia’s Freedom Riders." The New York Times. The New York Times, 12 June 2011. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/13/opinion/13Milani.html?_r=0>.

"Saudi Arabia: Saudi Women Defy Driving Ban." Asia News MonitorOct 29 2013. ProQuest. Web. 27 Nov. 2013.

Sfeir, George N. "Saudi Women Drivers Should Go to Court." The New York Times. The New York Times, 14 Dec. 1990. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/14/opinion/l-saudi-women-drivers-should-go-to-court-713590.html>.