[custom_adv] Last week, the Saudi Arabian government announced that it would allow women the right to drive from next June. And what seems like a basic human right here in the Western world has until now been an illegal activity for Saudi Arabia's female population punishable by 10 lashes, as was Shaima Ghassaniya's punishment in 2011 after being found guilty of driving without the government's permission. [custom_adv] In April 2017, women campaigners filmed themselves silently walking in the street without male companions (also banned) as part of their fight for the right to drive, while woman's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was detained for 73 days in 2014 for driving in the nation as a protest against the ban. [custom_adv] At present women must live under the supervision of a male guardian, requiring his permission to do things like travel, marry or talk to the police (very problematic in domestic abuse cases). The guardianship system means that every woman has to have a male guardian, be it their father, brother, husband or son, to make decisions on her behalf. [custom_adv] Chapter 2, verse 282 of the Quran reads: "And call to witness, from among your men, two witnesses. And if two men be not found then a man and two women." The Quran meant this to apply to financial transactions where the testimony of a second woman could help clear up any confusion on their part, as historically Muslim men are more involved in financial affairs. However, this has been wrongly interpreted by Saudis to mean that a women's testimony in court is worth less than a mans. [custom_adv] In some Muslim countries a woman's testimony is now equal to that of a mans, but that is still not the case in Saudi Arabia. Also, under the particularly conservative Hanbali interpretation of Shari'a law, judges may discount the testimony of persons who are not practicing Muslims or who do not adhere to the correct doctrine. [custom_adv] Full length abayas - a long coat worn over other clothes - must be worn by all women in public, although rules over the colour and decoration worn have been relaxed. it is important to be respectful of islamic culture. A woman was arrested in July this year for posting a video on social media platform Snapchat wearing a miniskirt and a cropped top. [custom_adv] In 2015, Saudi women were finally allowed the right to vote - nearly a century after the UK - however only in local elections which have limited decision-making powers on issues such as rubbish collection and street maintenance. Women cannot stand for or vote for higher positions of governance although King Abdullah did appoint 30 women to the country's top advisory Shura Council. [custom_adv] The mixing of genders in Saudi Arabia is strictly forbidden, unless among family members - however the restrictions on the freedom of movement largely fall on the women. Public buildings like banks and offices have separate entrances for men and women. And while women may now be allowed to vote, it is still up to debate how the male police officials will interact with these new female drivers. [custom_adv] Because of the limits of interacting with men, it makes it difficult for women to find work in Saudi Arabia. As of 2015, women make up only the 13 pc of the work force in Saudi Arabia - the lowest rate of women in the labour in the world. This is despite the fact that there are more female university graduates in Saudi Arabia than there are male. Women are still onlu allowed to work only in capacities in which they can serve women exclusively and must travel to work with a Mahram - close male relative. [custom_adv] In desperation, women without access to male drivers have put boys as young as 9 years old behind the wheel, propped up on pillows to see over the dashboard. It is no wonder that the kingdom has among the highesttraffic fatality rates in the world. [custom_adv] Beyond the social and economic costs, literally forcing women to remain in the backseat has hobbled Saudi Arabia’s global progress. It has the world’s second-largest proven oil reserves but ranks behind Cyprus and Malta on the United Nations Human Development Index. Now at last we have a path forward: an open Saudi society for men and women. Add your description here. [custom_adv] [custom_adv] Driving is a start. It can help end the larger oppressive guardianship system, which requires women to obtain permission from a male relative for the most basic decisions and activities. (Interestingly, the kingdom has announced that a woman will not need permission from her guardian to obtain a driver’s license.)
