After the lift of the world’s only ban on female drivers yesterday, Saudi women took to the streets in their cars from midnight to mark the historic moment
The lifting of the ban is perhaps the most popular move in a reform programme introduced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Crown Prince is seeking to transform the conservative petrostate into a modern economy.
Although no law ever stopped women from driving, police simply enforced the ban and licences were only issued to men. The ban went on to become a stain on Saudi Arabia’s international reputation, symbolic of its repressive attitude towards women’s rights.
Sadly, none of the women who led the long campaign to win the right to drive was able to celebrate. Three of them — Aziza al-Yousef, 60, Loujain al-Hathloul, 28, and Eman al-Nafjan, 39 — are among nine activists seized last month in a crackdown that has marred the celebrations. Two more women activists were arrested this month after expressing solidarity with the imprisoned women.
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