Shoura Council to Permit Saudi Women’s Driving?
The blog entry below has it all. I don’t think I need to add anything. Thanks to 7ijazi $P3ctaT0r for the link:
Shoura Council to Permit Saudi Women’s Driving?
Peculiar goings on with a story originally put out by Al-Arabiya TV regarding the Saudi Shoura Council’s decision to permit some Saudi women to drive. That story is no longer on Al-Arabiya’s website, but other news organizations, from Al-Quds Al-Arabi and Arabic CNN to Kuwait’s Al-Siyassa have all picked it up. It seems to be the same story, from the same Shoura Council source, who might be mistaken, or at least premature in his comments. The new law has yet to be passed by the Council, has not yet even been scheduled for debate.
This story, along with the January report in the British paper The Telegraph, suggest that something is happening on the issue.
In any event, what’s being reported (and thanks to commenter Saudi in the US for the links) is:
▪ Women over the age of 30 will be permitted to drive
▪ They will need permission from their male guardians
▪ Hours to be limited to 7AM to 8PM on weekdays and noon to 8PM on weekends
▪ Dress in conservative Islamic dress
▪ Pass women driving school
▪ Cell phone available at all timesThe new law would also provide some protections for female drivers:
▪ Women driver’s hot-line to handle emergencies
▪ Jail sentences for men who harass women drivers of up to 8 months
▪ Women only get their license taken away if they violate the rules
This proposal is actually more liberal than what I had imagined it might be. I had expected that the age for women’s licenses would be—at least to start—over 45. I also suspected that it would be limited to women who needed cars to drive to jobs. The driving hours do sort of suggest a work-related restriction, but I doubt that that limit will work out in practice; it’s not as though things in Saudi Arabia stick to any really tight time table, after all. And I don’t think that sex only happens after 8pm, either, so the notional ‘protection’ of women’s virtue is not going to come from time limits only.But a baby step is better than no step…
Join the Conversation
Well, it’s quite laughable what rules they make up to not allow to much. But after all there are no restrictions which were not to be awaited – at least their weird minds follow some rules, even if these are strange.
But hey, it’s great that there is something happening about this at all!
I have been hearing about this for the last 10 years but to see it documented on paper is a big step. Now don’t forget that implementation is another matter..it might take ages.
I remember a statement allowing women to get driving licenses from Saudi Arabia about 2 years ago, women tried to apply for them, they were denied the right to get a permit…
Time will tell.. I guess
ِAs annoying as I find the restrictions that would be placed (remind me again why women are treated like delinquent teens..) if the law is passed, it would definitely be a step (albeit small) forward.
Pingback: Islamify.com
” I had expected that the age for women’s licenses would be—at least to start—over 45.”
seriously man we all know that most old saudi women’s least concern is driving =S
our elderly women are known as not as active .. for Ex. if you compare a canadian 45 years old you’ll find her riding a bike to work =S but in KSA you’ll find her sitting behind the driver complaining how he’s always late again I know its wrong of me to judge but this is what i see from all the elderly people I have seen.. So 45 is a bit harsh and putting an age limit is a step from preventing crazy teens cruising around but what if there was a 30 year old sister and more corrupted than her teen sis ?! so corruption and bad intentions come from the background of the women and how her family raised her ! yes 30 years old are more mature than an 18 years old and it does set some boundaries !
but basically i lost hope of this matter and dont care if there thinking about it or not all this talk about it made me loose interest ! whoever is dying to drive immigrate =P just get a driver tell you actually see women drive =P
lovely post but I personally think its a waste of time to discuss the same topic over and over again especially when u have no authority to make it happen .. my advice what for it and discuss other world issues that we can make positive changes from =)
take care everyone =) enjoyed being a part of this =)
wow. this is just…wow.
i don’t understand why they would only let women over 30 drive. Go onto a highway and you’ll find 10 year old boys driving. plus, teenage girls are much more sensible than the teenage boys found in Saudi. Seriously, they are just careless and stalk girls.
another thing…i doubt you’ll even see that many women driving, considering the horrifying way everyone drives in Saudi.