Automotive news from Saudi Arabia this weekend serves as a stark reminder feminine equality is a bit behind the times there.  Saudi police arrested 12 women and gave fines to six other ladies for purposely ignoring the country’s ban on female driving.   

“Police stopped six women driving in Riyadh, and fined them 300 riyals ($80) each,” said the capital’s police deputy spokesman, Colonel Fawaz Al Miman. (1)

Adding insult to infraction, “Each of the women, along with her male guardian – who could be a father, husband, brother, uncle, or grandson – had to “‘sign a pledge to respect the kingdom’s laws,’” Col Miman said. (1)

The protest is the result of an online resistance campaign dubbed “Women’s driving is a choice.”

Hats off to the Saudi women who took part in the freedom drive; the fact they’re willing to be arrested and fined just for the right to slog through rush hour makes their protest all the more poignant.      

SOURCE:

The National

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