It’s hard to believe that in the second decade of the 21st century there still exists a government so repressive that it does not allow women to drive. But such is the case in one of the United States’ closest allies: Saudi Arabia.

 

Manal al-Sherif of has been arrested by her government for breaking the religious ban on women driving automobiles.

 

Al-Sherif, a 32-year-old information technology specialist for Aramco, the Saudi oil conglomerate, was arrested Sunday at her home after she posted a video on YouTube showing herself behind the wheel and complaining about the inconveniences of not being able to drive in her country.

 

Prosecutors have charged her with besmirching the kingdom’s reputation abroad and stirring up public opinion, according to Human Rights Watch, which has called for al-Sherif’s release from jail.

 

Several fatwas (religious rulings) have been issued that ban women from driving. The government does not issue Saudi females drivers’ licenses, though it does recognizes international driving licenses, which al-Sherif possessed at the time of her arrest. According to Saudi sources, she learned to drive in New Hampshire.

 

As part of their “women2drive” campaign, female advocates are planning a symbolic protest drive on June 17.

-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinksy

 

Saudi Arabia: Free Woman Who Dared to Drive (Human Rights Watch)

Woman Driver Jailed Pending Probe: Official (by Khalid al-Blahidi, Saudi Gazette)

Manal Al Sherif (Saudiwoman’s Weblog)

Manal al-Sherif Drives (YouTube)

Saudi Crackdown…on Women’s Gyms (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)