First 10 Licenses Issued as Saudi Women Prepare to Take the Wheels

Driving Licences have been issued to ten Saudi women ahead of the lifting of the ban on women drivers on 24 June 

(Photo: AP)

Video Editor: Ashutosh Bharadwaj

In a historic development earlier this year, Saudi Arabia, the only country which bans women from driving, had announced that the ban would be lifted on 24 June. And now, prior to that, the first batch of ten women have been issued their driving licenses.

These women, who already hold driving licenses from other countries like UK, Lebanon and Canada, were only required to undergo a brief driving test.

I am so, so happy from the way the officers greeted us and showed us how to get started on with getting our licenses.

Reema Jawdali

The Saudi government put out a statement saying that the ten women were issued the licenses at the General Department of Traffic in Riyadh on 4 June.

This development comes against the backdrop of the arbitrary detention of many prominent women’s rights activists who were charged of posing a threat to national stability and security.

It is unfortunate that these women, who worked tirelessly for the lifting of the ban on women drivers, are still behind bars.

It is a feeling that is indescribable. It is the epitome of joy and happiness. 

Tahani Aldosemani, Assistant Professor at Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University in Al-Kharj

This is one amongst a series of reforms initiated by Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, which includes the reopening of movie theatres after 35 years as well the the organization of the inaugural Arab Fashion Week that took place in Riyadh in April this year.

(With inputs from AP)