Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — On Sept. 26, Saudi women marked their night by staying up late and messaging on social media their thanks to the first of its kind decision allowing them to drive, one which they have been waiting for since many years.
King Salman ordered the reform in a royal decree, requesting that drivers’ licenSes be issued to women who wanted them. The change, which will take effect in June 2018, and was announced in a royal decree read live on state television. Saudi leaders also hope the new policy will help the economy by increasing women’s participation in the workplace.
It is a day we’ll never forget, Hanouf Al-Degheishem an assistant professor at Princess Nourah bint Andulrahman University wrote. It is “an exceptional historical day in the life of Saudi women. Thank you King Salman who has nade women empowerment a reality not just catchy rumors. The decision will not just improve the quality of life for Saudi women but will also stop the conflicts between different parties.”
Laila Al-Ohaidb, a Saudi writer said that by issuing this decision “We have closed down a huge file that is being raised against us internationally and marks us as lagging behind and humiliating women.”
Halima Mozafar another Saudi writer said, “2017 is the year for Saudi women, the year for empowerment and we look forward for the appointment of a female Saudi minister.”
The decision to allow women to drive will include different vehicles like cars, motorbikes and even trucks as long as the women has the necessary documents and licenses. Women will also be allowed to drive between cities and exchange their pre-own licenses from other countries.
To prepare for this move different parties have started to arrange for welcoming women drivers to the streets. Starting from 2018 there will be institutes to train women drivers. King Abdul Aziz University has singed an agreement with the traffic department by which the university will have the first driving training school in Jeddah. Similarly, both Taif and Tabuk universities have moved ahead to singing similar agreements.
Car companies, insurance companies and maintenance stores are now getting the market ready for female drivers. Khalid Al-Abid a salesperson at a car store anticipated that the decision would encourage the car sector and enhance the sales, “We expect that the number of drivers will reduce and accidents will decrease.”
Adel Al-Isa the spokesman of insurance companies said earlier that they would add new insurance services for women after the decision allowing women to drive. It is expected also to prepare in the coming months women to work in the traffic department.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labor and Social Development in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior will also consider allowing recruitment of women drivers from outside the Kingdom.
