Women drivers in Saudi Arabia

[Ranb]

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/26/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-women-drive.html

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/saudi-arabia-women-drive-170926190857109.html

In a reversal of a longstanding rule, Saudi Arabia has announced that it will now allow women to drive.

About time.

The decree said that women would be allowed to drive "in accordance with the Islamic laws".

Whatever that means.

While there have been restrictions imposed on women drivers, some female activists have defied the ban leading to their arrests.

If you ask me the prince would not have noticed women wanted to drive unless they took this risk.

Ranb

 

[KatieG]

Will wonders never cease?

 

[ddt]

If you ask me the prince would not have noticed women wanted to drive unless they took this risk.

His predecessor Abdullah certainly found out when he visited Balmoral in 1998.

 

[DragonLady]

Saudi leaders also hope the new policy will help the economy by increasing women’s participation in the workplace. Many working Saudi women spend much of their salaries on drivers or must be driven to work by male relatives.

I knew it couldn't possibly be because they were concerned about the problems or plight of women. It makes sense in this context: women who work can help pay the bills, thus reducing the burdens on men.

 

[Darth Rotor]

On the bright side, Saudi stand-up comics will now be able to tell more jokes about women drivers.
Progress?

 

[DragonLady]

Okay, my earlier post wasn't very charitable. Actually, I'm jumping for joy for those women affected. The hope and celebration they must be feeling right now is beyond what I can imagine. The simple act of putting a key in the ignition and going where one will must be a thrilling idea for them. I hope nothing stops this from going through, and nothing ever takes it away from any of them again.

 

[cullennz]

Excellent.

Off topic slightly, but this bit caught my notice.

He also detailed the "economic costs" of women having to rely on private drivers or taxis, since public transit is not a viable alternative in the kingdom.....

....He calculated that families spend an average of $1,000 a month on a driver, money that otherwise could help household income at a time when many are making do with less.

Kind of a who cares, but there maybe a pretty massive leap in unemployment

Sent from my SM-J500Y using Tapatalk

 

[Sherkeu]

Excellent.

Off topic slightly, but this bit caught my notice.

Kind of a who cares, but there maybe a pretty massive leap in unemployment

I think the taxi's have some time. The decree is step one, then a recommendation in a month, then it could take ages to devise a way to teach and test women separate from men. Then they have to actually build up that system. Then they will all need to actually find and take available classes and get in line for a driver's test appointment.
It will be the longest DMV waiting time ever!


*What will they use for the photo?

 

[TriangleMan]

Kind of a who cares, but there maybe a pretty massive leap in unemployment

The drivers will mostly be ex-pats from South Asia so will be sent home if the family does not need them anymore. There will be little impact on Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate but it will impact the many South Asian families who lose that income.

 

[TriangleMan]

On the bright side, Saudi stand-up comics will now be able to tell more jokes about women drivers.

I'm already seeing some jokes circulating on social media here that I assume are from Saudi and just making the rounds.

 

[rjh01]

Could be serious long term impacts on the country. The women will demand even more power and will be organised to get it.

 

[rjh01]

Short term implications
1. Lots of learner drivers on the road at the same time. This produces
2. Lots of road accidents producing
3. Jobs for people who repair cars and
4. More people admitted to hospitals

 

[Belz...]

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/26/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-women-drive.html

Wow, Islam really is as progressive as we're told!

I knew it couldn't possibly be because they were concerned about the problems or plight of women. It makes sense in this context: women who work can help pay the bills, thus reducing the burdens on men.

The downside is that the bills become bigger.

 

[DragonLady]

Short term implications
1. Lots of learner drivers on the road at the same time. This produces
2. Lots of road accidents producing
3. Jobs for people who repair cars and
4. More people admitted to hospitals

Let's not forget women being punished for any kind of accident or traffic ticket.

I won't be surprised if some loophole or a long list of restrictions prevents this from ever actually happening.

 

[ddt]

Let's not forget women being punished for any kind of accident or traffic ticket.

I won't be surprised if some loophole or a long list of restrictions prevents this from ever actually happening.

Or if it's simply forgotten. The announcement was made during a UN meeting where a Dutch-Canadian proposal for a human rights inquiry into the situation in Yemen was discussed, where Saudi Arabia is involved in a bloody civil war. The Dutch-Canadian proposal entails an independent panel, while the Saudis themselves only want a human rights inquiry if they appoint the panel (yeah right).

This point was made on Dutch TV by Kenneth Roth from HRW, and also today by Robert Fisk in the Independent.

 

[BStrong]

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/26/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-women-drive.html

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/saudi-arabia-women-drive-170926190857109.html

About time.


Whatever that means.


If you ask me the prince would not have noticed women wanted to drive unless they took this risk.

Ranb

They are forbidden from driving with their left hand.