“Taking into account the negative consequences of women not being able to drive cars, considering the positive aspects of resolving the issue, and also referring to the opinion of the elders, in order to ensure the safety of society, we consider it legitimate to issue driver's licenses to both men and women,” the royal decree of Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud states. It is expected that the revolutionary innovation will come into effect in the country starting in 2018.
As noted by “Russkaya Germaniya”, the act signed by the King of Saudi Arabia is a major victory for women's rights activists. The kingdom remains the only country in the world where women were officially banned from driving. They had been fighting for the right to drive for many years, but public morality prevented it. If a woman got behind the wheel, she faced severe punishment, including imprisonment.
Supporters of allowing women to drive argued that the need to hire a personal driver for wives and daughters (often foreigners) posed a greater threat to women's safety and the family budget than granting Saudi women the right to drive themselves.
The reasons that prompted the king to relax morals are not known for certain. It is possible that it was purely economic pragmatism. Now women will be able to drive to work on their own, and sales of cars and fuel will increase. According to another version, the innovation was lobbied by 32-year-old Prince Muhammad bin Salman, second in line to the throne. He serves as second deputy prime minister, being the youngest minister of defense in the world. In addition, as head of the Council for Economic Affairs and Development of Saudi Arabia, he is carrying out a long-term reform of the country's economy and public life.
Saudi Arabia has traditionally ranked last in relevant rankings of states regarding women's rights. However, the situation has begun to improve recently. Two years ago, the king granted women the right to vote.
In Saudi Arabia, women cannot move around unaccompanied by a male guardian, husband, or relative. In addition, they are required to wear black clothing that covers the face. The number of women's educational institutions in the country is smaller than men's, and to travel abroad for study or work, a girl must obtain the consent of her husband or relative. Furthermore, women in Saudi Arabia are disadvantaged in inheritance rights.