January 18, 2025

Saudi Arabia issues first driving licences to women

Saudi Arabia has issued its first driving licences to 10 women, as the kingdom prepares to lift the world’s only ban on female drivers in three weeks’ time.

However, some people who campaigned for the right to drive remain under arrest.

A government statement said the 10 women given licences already held driving licences from other countries, including the US, UK, Lebanon and Canada.

They took a brief driving exam and eye test before being issued with the licences at the traffic department in the capital, Riyadh.

Other women across the country have been preparing for the right to drive on 24 June by taking driving courses on female-only college campuses. Some are even training to become drivers for ride-hailing companies such as Uber.

Saudi women had long complained of having to hire costly male drivers, use taxis or rely on male relatives to get to work or run errands.

Several activists who campaigned for the right to drive remain under arrest, facing possible trial. Saudi Arabia’s prosecutor said on Sunday that 17 people had been detained in recent weeks on suspicion of trying to undermine security and stability, a case activists said targeted prominent women’s rights campaigners.

This image released by the Saudi Information Ministry, shows Esraa Albuti, an Executive Director at Ernst & Young, as she displays her brand new driving license, at the General Department of Traffic in the capital, Riyadh
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 This image released by the Saudi Information Ministry, shows Esraa Albuti, an Executive Director at Ernst & Young, as she displays her brand new driving license, at the General Department of Traffic in the capital, Riyadh Photograph: Untitled/AP

The prosecutor’s statement said eight people have been temporarily released, while five men and four women remained under arrest. Among the women held since 15 May are Loujain al-Hathloul, Aziza al-Yousef and Eman al-Nafjan, sources told the Associated Press.

For more read the full of article at The Guardian

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