Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Saudi Women Defy Driving Ban
Over the weekend, a campaign took place in Saudi Arabia in which women were encouraged to defy the de facto driving ban. Many women videotaped themselves driving and uploaded it to YouTube. However, the excitement was short-lived, and now these women who videoed themselves driving are worried about being followed by the government's secret police and the consequences which may follow. As Americans, we view this "right to drive" as a garunteed right, but in Saudi Arabia, not only is the country in general split on the matter, but even the female demographic is divided, some women supporting these protests, while others think the system doesn't need to be changed.
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I applaud the bravery of these Saudi women. I cannot imagine that it is easy for them to defy such a law knowing the (possible) repercussions. While it may be shocking to western society that some women in Saudi Arabia approve of the ban on driving, "but [are] also in favor of the conservative kingdom's guardianship system, which mandates that Saudi women cannot go to school, get a job or even travel without permission from their male guardians," we cannot hold them to our own standards. While, obviously, I disagree with this ban, I cannot force my beliefs on them. I do, however, wish these "rebels" the best of luck and hope they stop being followed and feeling threatened.
ReplyDeleteIt is terrible that women are being barred from driving in this day and age. Moreover, the problem is compounded by the fact that women who decide to drive face harassment and potential arrest. There is a simple way that the United States could bring pressure to bear on removing this and other women’s civil rights violations: threaten to cut off aid and threaten to refuse importing Saudi oil. In order to do this, however, the United States would need to achieve energy independence (or at least the North American energy independence of the US and Canada).
ReplyDeleteIn the wise words of Henry David Thoreau, “If the machine of government is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law.” These women have incredible courage and we need people like them to plant the seeds of a rebellion. Rebellion has sort of a negative connotation, but it's often necessary in pursuit of equality. Take the Civil Rights Movement, for example, all it took was a few people to change everything. I'm hoping in Saudi Arabia, the same thing is beginning to take place. Gaining the right to drive for women is just a stepping stone for greater civil rights for all Saudi Arabian citizens. I think the United States should offer these women protection if they feel their lives are in danger as a result of their actions. No immediate change in culture will take place over night and I don't think imposing an oil embargo would be a good decision for the United States at this time since energy independence is at least a decade away.
ReplyDeleteAnother shocking, interesting article. I had no clue that women of Saudi Arabia weren't permitted to operate vehicles. I find that ban to be very foolish on Saudi Arabia's part. I think its been proven thousands of times that women are just as capable as men on certain tasks, and jobs. I don't understand the big deal. I also love the bravery and the guts of these Saudi women. I love to see them stick up for an almost necessary right now-a-days.
ReplyDeleteI remember hearing about this before, but I didn't realize how big of an issue it really is. The fact that women are being scared into not driving is horrible. I am hopeful for the future of this issue because of the media spotlight it is now getting, which should ideally lead to change. However, I believe that if something is not done soon to give the women their rights, the brave women that are being constantly threatened and scared for their safety may be too intimidated to continue their efforts.
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ReplyDeleteI'm very glad to hear that these women are standing up for themselves. The way they are going about it is peaceful, rather than violent. Hopefully this will help them get their point across. The spokesperson for the U.S. state department endorses women making their own choice, but it is evident that they cannot do anything to help the situation. I think that in due time these women will be allowed to drive, but people with more traditional beliefs will still oppose the idea and continue to harass women drivers.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to see that Saudi women are sticking up for their own rights. Every group in history in their own respective countries has protested before and now its the women of Saudi Arabia's turn. Although I respect the effort, nothing will change for them unless ALL women protest in full force. Eventually, they will be given more rights that they, as human beings, deserve; but for now, these women need more support.
ReplyDeleteIt is upsetting to see how scared these women, who are standing up for what should be a privilege not based on gender, are that their government is a threat to them. This continued de facto ban is sad to see happening anywhere but especially in Saudi Arabia. It is a disgrace that a government of a reasonably modern and very rich country is still allowing this level of gender discrimination. It is also disheartening to see that the United States still provides foreign aid to a country that allows this type of discrimination.
ReplyDeleteGood for these women. The Saudi government seems to be somewhat evasive in their talking about the issue. If it were to take serious action against them, there would probably be a strong outcry given the publicity this issue has had in the past. It sounds like the main concern for the women is unofficial backlash from either private citizens or the secret police trying to look like private citizens. Even with the danger, though, this sounds like the right way to go about attempting social change. It'll undoubtedly be a slow process, but the more the women gain international support, the better chance they have of convincing their people and government that they deserve civil rights.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that these women know fully what they are getting into by driving, but they still do it because of what they believe. The government seems to be sitting back and avoiding making an official decision on whether or not women should be allowed to drive while following them with secret police. This puts them in a position where they can say to the public that they have no say in whether or not women can drive, but in reality they have a great effect on the situation through these police. It will take even more bravery from the women for there to be a change
ReplyDeleteThe ban on women driving is a ridiculous one, and should be changed. I am glad to hear that there are women who are fighting back against this archaic law. Obviously the culture in Saudi Arabia is way different than our culture here in America, but having the right to drive is a basic right. I feel bad for the protesting women who fear for their lives, but hopefully in the grand scheme of things their actions help bring about positive change.
ReplyDeleteI think this ban on women driving is outrageous. I'm happy to see that the Saudi women are standing up for their rights despite possible punishments. It is terrible to see how scared these women are for their lives. I feel like the United States should protect these women for their brave, courageous actions.
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