In a bid for greater freedoms and equality, many Saudi women are participating in bold acts of defiance – driving a car. While the law doesn’t specifically forbid female drivers, local traditions prevent women from being issued licenses.
Today’s protest came in response to calls on social networking sites urging women to begin a mutiny against the male-only driving rules.
Senior clerics claim the driving ban protects against the spread of vice and temptation because women drivers would be free to leave home alone and interact with male strangers. (Yea, ’cause they can’t do that on foot!)
Really, the driving ban is about subjugating women and treating them as second class citizens.
Sexist, patriarchal nonsense like this cannot be tolerated if we want to bring peace to our planet. The actions of these brave Saudi women are bringing us one step closer to a more just global civilization.
