Friday, Jun 17, 2011
Gulf News
Dubai A group of Saudi women is preparing to sit behind the wheel today and drive in defiance of the country’s rules in what one press report described as “Saudi Women Spring”.
However, not all Saudi women have come out in support of the campaign, which is expected to end up in cancellation or postponement, or “taking certain measures against the women who will challenge the authorities”, Saudi women said yesterday.
However, some women differ in opinion.“There are many mistakes in the campaign itself,” commented Saudi journalist Fatima Al Ghamde. “It wasn’t preceded by a serious dialogue. It would have been better if a dialogue was held because we in Saudi Arabia have many who support allowing women to drive cars,” Fatima told Gulf News.
Fatima learned to drive a car from her male relatives. Though she would love to see Saudi women driving cars one day, she does not like the way the campaign is being organised. She says the society has to be prepared for it.
Organisation
“It was better if a campaign was organised to meet the [Saudi] king and speak to him in one voice,” said another Saudi woman who asked not to be named. She said she would drive a vehicle only if the law permits women to drive.
“There is no other way but to go ahead with the June 17 driving campaign,” said a woman activist who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“There are no alternatives,” she added, while praising the women who will join the campaign and “risk a lot”.
According to the activist, women who take part in today’s campaign face a series of tough measures, including signing a paper banning driving in the kingdom, a travel ban as well a “note” in their professional or academic folders.
While there is no law banning Saudi women from driving, many activists believe the obstacles are mainly related to social norms and traditions in the conservative male-dominated society. Many women drive in certain areas in Saudi Arabia, including suburbs, villages and remote areas, the women said.
Saudi women’s attempts to legalise driving for them go back to 1990 when a group of women defied the ban and drove around Riyadh in 15 cars. They ended up being arrested. However, such attempts intensified recently.
Last month, Manal Al Sharif, a 32-year-old mother was arrested for two weeks after she posted a video on the internet showing her driving around Eastern Province.
There are many mistakes in the campaign itself. It wasn’t preceded by a serious dialogue.”
By Jumana al Tamimi?Associate Editor
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
