A Saudi Arabian woman named Wajeha Al-Huwaider has posted a video of herself on the internet driving - an innocuous activity in most areas of the world, but one that has sparked considerable controversy in an oil-rich nation governed by a strict brand of Sharia law. Throughout the video, Al-Huwaider explains that female drivers are fairly common in rural areas, but her aim is to encourage women across the nation to take a more active role in driving, particularly in urban areas. This particular effort was made to coincide with International Women’s Day.
Al-Huwaider is a leading women’s driving activist in Saudi Arabia, and supports having the ban overturned by the government. Previous mass protests have resulted in punishment for all involved. It is unclear what the Saudi government response to this might be, but with both cars and gasoline prevalent in the country, along with rapidly changing social norms, the issue will probably not go away soon.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
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March 14th, 2008 at 10:58 am
I’ve been over there. Man or woman, none of them should be allowed to drive.
March 15th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I certainly think it is really good sign of progress that Saudi Women are challenging the conventional role of men as their caretakers by taking men’s role as drivers. I am against Austin Cassidy’s view that no one should be allowed to drive??? Right, so car companies should be stopped. Anyways walking is good for health, but not when you need to travel from Baghdad to najaf or baghdad to muthanna when the temperature is 40 degrees.
March 15th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
sorry it was mike not austin cassidy
March 17th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Rockey, if you ever had to drive over there then you’d know that I’m right. If you have driven over there and still have your views, then you’re just an idiot.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Never mind Rockey, you’re just an idiot. If you can’t detect sarcasm.
March 17th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Who shot Nixon?